A WORCESTER firm is taking part in a cycle to work scheme as part of a wider social responsibility campaign.

Aquabio, based in Hallow, has set up a scheme called Sustainability and Health in Future Transport (SHIFT).

The campaign will see Aquabio employees logging their kilometres with Strava while cycling to work and for leisure, and for every kilometre cycled, Aquabio donates 2.5 pence to Sustrans, a charity that makes it easy for people to walk and cycle.

So far this year employees of the water re-use company, have achieved a total of 12,000 km.

Sustrans works with a number of sponsors including The People’s Health Trust, Wiggle Legal, Saddle Skedaddle, Cravendale, Halfords, Triodos Bank and Ecotricity, and works for a better future for cycling.

Strava Insights for the UK show that in 2016 an average of 223,376 commutes were uploaded to Strava every week, with cyclists logging an average distance of 13.5km and an average of 35 minutes in the saddle.

Dan Brothwell, development and operations manager at Aquabio, said: “The benefits of choosing to use a bike to travel as opposed to a car are clear, from physical and mental health benefits to the individual, to reducing carbon footprint and improving air quality by taking cars off the road.

"The SHIFT scheme is intended to provide that extra incentive to individuals, in that by making the journey on a bicycle our company will be contributing to local infrastructure projects to continue to improve cycling infrastructure.”

Simon Klima, director of local marketing at Strava, said: "Every time you commute on Strava, you can make a difference.

"The Strava community can show urban planners how to improve infrastructure for your local area. We want to continue to show our commitment and give back to the worldwide community, aiming to make our towns and cities better.”

Julian Hall, a director of fundraising and retail at Sustrans, said: “We’re very grateful to Aquabio and its employees for their support.

“Not only does cycling to work mean that you arrive feeling alert, energised and ready to take on the day, it’s also an easy way of building more daily physical activity into our busy lives.

“Cycling can lift your mood and improve your general health and wellbeing. It can also help you save money and it’s good for the environment. "