Glastonbury Festival goes bike-friendly with green travel initiative

Organisers of the Glastonbury Festival are seeking to encourage attendees to switch to pedal power to get to June’s event as part of their new Green Traveller initiative, with benefits including a dedicated campsite for cyclists and secure bike parking. There will also be guided rides from 30 towns within 20 miles of the Festival site, as well as one from Bristol.

A full list of towns from which guided rides will be provided by Team Tor 2000, as well as details of how to apply for a place, costs and terms and conditions – for starters, you must be over 18 and have a roadworthy bike – can be found on a dedicated Getting Here by Bike page on the Festival website. Needless to say, you need a valid ticket for the Festival, too.

Festival-goers can leave their luggage at designated points in departure towns and will be reunited with it once on site at Worthy Farm, Pilton, and will also be able to access their bikes during the Festival.

The Bristol ride is being organised by community-based not-for-profit organisation PowWow Pedal Power and leaves on Wednesday 22nd June. Unlike the Team Tor 2000 ride, cyclists using this option will not be able to access their bikes during the Festival.

Moreover, with the return to Bristol planned by coach on Monday 27 June, will not be reunited with their bikes until the following day when it can be picked up from the point where they started the ride.

Unless they live within walking distance, we can see that being a stumbling block for many who might otherwise be interested in this option.

Cyclists from further afield are also encouraged to ride to the Festival under their own guidance, and will be able to use the dedicated campsite and secure storage facilities.

Other benefits for those using green options such as public transport to get to Glastonbury include getting a Green Traveller card “which gives discounts on food and T-shirts, as well as exclusive access to solar showers and compost toilets,” according to organisers.