Rochdale business takes the trophy for Greater Manchester Cycle Challenge

'Cycling Champion’ and Littleborough resident, Caroline Muldowney, is pictured with her TfGM cycling trophy and colleagues

A Rochdale business has saddled up to receive a special award from Transport for Greater Manchester after taking first place in the 2012 Cycle Challenge.

Zen Internet, which has its head office at the Sandbrook Business Park, came top in its category of 200-499 employees, with nearly 25% of staff taking part in the challenge.

Caroline Muldowney, HR Advisor at Zen Internet, was also named as one of ten Greater Manchester ‘Cycling Champions’. Caroline, who lives in Littleborough, was singled out for her work to promote the challenge and encourage colleagues to take part.

Across Greater Manchester, 137 organisations encouraged their employees to hit the roads for the challenge, in a bid to see who could get the most people to ride a bike to work.

Thanks to Caroline’s encouragement, staff at Zen Internet cycled nearly 4,000 miles in three weeks, saving 414kg of CO2 in the process.

Caroline said: “The Greater Manchester Cycle challenge was a great success and an opportunity for everyone at Zen to get involved.

“Since taking part in this challenge it has been nice to see that the take up for our ride2work scheme has significantly increased with both seasoned cyclists and also those who have not been on a bike for a number of years.

“Those who took part in the challenge also had a prize delivery of well-deserved ice creams, many thanks to TfGM!”

Dave Newton, Director of Transport Strategy at TfGM, said: “All of the cyclists who helped to make the 2012 Challenge a success should be very proud of themselves, but I would particularly like to congratulate Caroline and her colleagues for their spectacular efforts.

“Transport for Greater Manchester is working hard to encourage more people to bike to work through its Commuter Cycle Project. I am really pleased that over 600 new cyclists have taken to the streets since the challenge began.

“Cycling to work is now easier than ever and I’d encourage anyone else who is considering giving it a go to take a look at our website: www.tfgm.com/cycling.”

2,199 people took part in the 2012 Cycle Challenge, recording 16,418 bike trips over three weeks. A total of 170,446 bike miles were recorded – the equivalent of circumnavigating the globe over nine times.

As part of its Commuter Cycle Project, TfGM is offering free adult cycle training. Qualified cycling instructors will help people who want to start cycling to work get to grips with riding safely on the area’s busy streets and roads. To book a session, call 0300 123 1675.