02 Jul 2020
Tenzing's Clean Air Tracker now helps runners, cyclists and pedestrians avoid pollution while being active
BY Steph Eaves
Tenzing Natural Energy, the drinks brand behind the Tenzing Clean Air Tracker, has recently added new functionality to its free mobile tool, now enabling its use by cyclists and pedestrians, as well as runners.
The Tenzing Clean Air Tracker launched on 4 July 2019 with the aim of helping active Londoners find running routes with cleaner air. Since then, over 125,000 runs have been logged, with 42 per cent (53,000 runs) logged since lockdown began in the UK on 23rd March 2020.
With this dramatic increase in demand for ‘clean air fitness’, Tenzing has announced it is expanding its offering to cyclists and pedestrians, as well as runners; to help Londoners adapt to the 'new normal'.
“We're doing all we can to make sure people have the option of an energising drink that's free from chemicals and nasties, so why should that be any different for the air you breathe?” said Huib van Bockel, the founder of TENZING.
The UK has experienced a 300 per cent rise in the number of people cycling, including an estimated tenfold increase in London.
Andrew Grieve, senior air quality analyst at King’s College London, said: “I’d encourage everyone to use this tool to find the quietest and lowest pollution routes for their commute, whether you’re running, walking or cycling.”
Runners and cyclists breathe more heavily and are at higher risk of flooding their lungs with toxic pollutants. The ventilation rate for running is 3.5 times more than walking, and cycling is 1.86 times more than walking. TENZING has stated that its mission is to raise awareness about this and ensure people can exercise safely with the cleanest air possible.
The Tenzing Clean Air Tracker syncs with GPS fitness tracking app Strava and uses real-time air quality data, provided by King’s College London, to give users a live Air Quality Score for their route.
An Air Quality Score automatically appears on the user’s Strava profile after every cycling, running or walking activity. This knowledge enables them to edit future routes; potentially reducing life threatening pollution exposure by up to 50 per cent.
Less polluted routes are also likely to have fewer vehicles, so by choosing these routes, cyclists are also decreasing their risk of road accidents. In addition to monitoring the live air quality, the tracker will also suggest alternative clean-air cycle routes for popular commuter journeys in London.
The launch comes at a time when the Mayor of London is in discussion with his cycling commissioner, Will Norman, to create a ‘bike tube network’ as part of the government’s £2 billion investment plan for greener travel.
“Cycling is a fantastic zero-emission way to get around the city. We have a window of opportunity now to reconfigure our cities to be friendlier for walking and cycling,” said Grieve.
With poor air quality an issue in other major cities across the UK, Tenzing is planning to extend the tracker to people nationwide in 2021.
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