EEZYBIKE Teams up with the National Trust to Pedal for Nature
Set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, the National Trust's historic Sutton Hoo estate, famous for its Anglo-Saxon burial site has taken a further step towards sustainability, with the introduction of EEZYBIKE’s solar-powered e-bike rental scheme. In partnership with the National Trust, this new initiative supports the charity’s mission to protect nature and history while encouraging low-carbon, active travel.
​A Greener Way to Explore​
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Sutton Hoo is internationally renowned for its Anglo-Saxon royal burial site and rich historical legacy. Now, with the arrival of EEZYBIKE’s electric bikes, visitors have a new, sustainable way to engage with the surrounding countryside.
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With EEZYBIKE’s sturdy e-bikes now available to book onsite, visitors can now travel beyond the estate to nearby landmarks such as Woodbridge, Orford, Dunwich, and Rendlesham Forest, without the need for a car. This provides an opportunity to see more of Suffolk’s stunning landscapes while significantly cutting down on greenhouse emissions.
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Supporting Sustainability Goals
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The collaboration directly supports the National Trust’s broader environmental aims. The National Trust is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and for those emissions that the charity cannot eliminate, they will remove an equivalent amount from the atmosphere through land and habitat restoration. A key part of their strategy is to dramatically reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and increase their use of renewable energy sources.
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The e-bikes are housed in a secure, weather-resistant EEZYPOD, a fully automated, solar-powered charging shelter. Riders simply book on line and receive a unique key code giving them automated access through keypad technology to the pods at their given time. This makes collecting and returning the e-bikes seamless and secure. The infrastructure not only protects the bikes from the elements, but also ensures high standards of maintenance and longevity, unlike typical dockless systems.
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EEZYBIKEs help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% per journey and encourage a long-term shift towards more sustainable transport. Research shows that riders who try e-bikes are likely to adopt them for everyday travel, with some averaging 9.2 km per day—drastically reducing car dependency.
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Si Cooper, CEO of EEZYBIKE, commented:
​“We are thrilled to partner with the National Trust to bring sustainable, active travel to such an iconic location. Our e-bike innovation offers a practical way to reduce emissions, preserve local landscapes, boost the local economy and provide visitors with a fun, accessible alternative to driving.”
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Local Impact and Community Connections
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For National Trust visitors and those staying in Sutton Hoo’s holiday accommodations, EEZYBIKE adds another layer to their experience, connecting them not only with the estate, but with the wider Suffolk heritage landscape.
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Russell Clement, General Manager for the National Trust’s Suffolk and Essex Coast portfolio, said:
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"Sutton Hoo is surrounded by scenic countryside, which makes it a great starting point for cyclists to explore from. Nearby Woodbridge offers great views of Sutton Hoo from the other side of the river. The town is also home to the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, an independent charity, which is constructing a replica of the famous burial ship using archaeological evidence, traditional tools and authentic materials. Peeking inside the Longshed, where they are based, offers visitors a great chance to explore even more of this incredible story.“
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Building on Success
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The launch at Sutton Hoo builds on the growing popularity of EEZYBIKE’s model, already proving successful at Needham Lake and Sudbury, with all users giving 5-star ratings on Tripadvisor. It’s a testament to how innovation and sustainability can work hand in hand, to enhance visitor experiences, while protecting nature.
​Contact us to discuss how your organisation can provide an exciting, new, sustainable experience.