Better By Bike website launches

Bristol-based communications and design agency Proctor & Stevenson has launched a new website to promote the Greater Bristol Cycling City project.

Greater Bristol was given the UK’s first Cycling City status in June 2008 and Bristol and South Gloucestershire Councils were given a joint grant of £22.8 million to encourage cycling in the region by improving infrastructure and giving cyclists and would-be cyclists the information and skills to give up their cars. Ultimately the scheme aims to double the amount of regular cyclists on Bristol’s roads by 2011.

The site’s objectives have been to engage the people of Greater Bristol with the cause, in an open government initiative, using social and digital media. The site offers practical advice to get people cycling; targeting business, schools and individuals, it is designed to inspire people to get involved through a broad range of content, forums, local links and polls. It also enables the public to engage with the site through social networking channels including Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Twitter. Users are encouraged to submit their own pictures, videos and stories to ensure betterbybike becomes a cycling hub for the South West region.

A full set of networking tools, such as Digg and Delicious, are built into the design to help users share the site.

Kevin Mason, Digital and Strategy Director at Proctor & Stevenson, said:

“The Better By Bike website is a great example of how social media can promote engagement with an idea and cause, positively connecting local government with local people. Many of us at Proctors are dedicated cyclists, so it’s been a pleasure for all of us to work on this project. We have great admiration for the council team who have openly embraced the opportunity to engage in open dialogue through new channels and we would urge everyone in Greater Bristol to get involved.”

The Better By Bike website went live on 26 October and will be regularly updated with editorial and user-generated content.