Chichester Festival Theatre's Artist Cycle Scheme has been relaunched with the support of itd Consultants, to help our visiting companies get around the local area.

Each season we welcome company members, technical crew and creative teams from all over the country to Chichester, to bring our Festival shows to life. Over the last few years we've offered these visiting artists the use of bicycles, both to get around town and to explore the breath-taking countryside and coastline that surrounds us in an environmentally-friendly way. With many artists coming to us from London or other large cities without their own vehicles, cycling is a wonderful way to get around Chichester, with purpose-built cycle lanes and routes around the city, as well as being in the heart of West Sussex and just a few miles from the South Downs National Park.

The bikes have proved very popular, with demand far exceeding our supply (especially during the summer), and after several years of use it was time for an upgrade! Thanks to support from Portsmouth-based Engineering Consultants, itd Consultants, the Artist Cycle Scheme now boasts 20 bikes, rechargeable lights and new safety helmets.

Kathy Bourne, CFT Executive Director comments: “Anecdotally we know the Artist Cycle Scheme is a fantastic perk for those coming to work with us here in Chichester, especially those without transport of their own. Sustainability is a key value at CFT, so we're thrilled to have itd Consultants along for the ride to support this initiative which also helps towards our goal of carbon net zero.”

Fred Chant, Business Development at itd Consultants says: “As long-term supporters of CFT, when we heard about the Artist Cycle Scheme, we knew we wanted to get involved. Through our work as Engineering Consultants, we enjoy helping organisations to find solutions that reduce their environmental impact and assist towards their sustainability goals. Not only does the CFT Cycle Scheme allow visiting actors and technical teams to explore our beautiful surroundings in West Sussex, but it means fewer cars on the roads and importantly less carbon emissions. We are hugely proud to sponsor this brilliant initiative and to see our name on the bikes themselves.”

Micah Corbin-Powell, a member of the ensemble in The House Party, said of his experience of the scheme: "I live in a city so it's refreshing being in the open fields and we’ve gone on a bike ride into the woods too. It would encourage me to get my own bike now."

We are proud to partner with itd Consultants on our Artist Cycle Scheme. Look out for our branded bikes around town!