Hundreds of Pfizer staff took to two wheels on Wednesday, June 18, in support of the annual Pfizer Cycle to Work Day. The event, part of national Bike Week, saw staff from the Pfizer Laboratories at Sandwich taking the healthier and greener option of using cycle power to get to and from work for the day.

Many cycled to the Pfizer site independently while others joined organized groups of colleagues riding together from nearby towns including Canterbury, Deal and Ramsgate. Pfizer scientist, Richard Chew cycles to work every day and organised this year’s event.

He said: “Cycling to work provides door to door transport and it runs on corn flakes! It also benefits the local community and global environment by reducing noise, air pollution and greenhouse gases.

“Regular exercise, such as cycling to work, also improves the physical and mental health of employees. For local trips it’s often more convenient and faster than bus or car.”

More than 3,000 people are employed at the healthcare company’s European R&D headquarters at Sandwich, which has gained recognition across the country for its high environmental standards. Pfizer was recently named in a Sunday Times survey as one of the UK’s Top 50 Green Companies .

Cycling is actively encouraged with cycle storage facilities provided across the 390-acre site together with showers and lockers. This year the national Bike Week campaign is highlighting the freedom, fitness and fun of cycling as well as the overall benefits to the environment in reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.