Homebuyers get free bikes

Homebuyers get free bikes

The move was welcomed by sustainable transport campaigners

Homebuyers in Gloucester are to receive a new bike when they buy their property.

The scheme has been set up by the city council to try to reduce traffic in the city.

The bikes are being offered by developers involved in the Home Zones project, which aims to introduce a relatively car-free travel pattern into homeowners' life.

The Westbury Homes project for 67 houses in Longlevens is one such scheme that has just been given the go-ahead.

'Two garages'

Adrian Clarke, of the council, told the BBC: "The Home Zone is a pilot project aimed at sharing road space between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

"It is about narrowing roads and making sure people travel slowly.

"Car ownership is increasing and so we are trying to encourage people to use them less," he added.

A spokesperson for Westbury Homes said: "We are complying with what the council wants developers to do via their sustainability guidelines.

"We are tasked not to encourage people to have two garages anymore," she added.

The move was welcomed by GlosTRAC, which campaigns for sustainable transport in the city.