In 2022, RideLondon, a mass participation cycling event, decided to award participants with lightweight wooden medals in an effort to promote sustainability. However, due to overwhelming feedback, the organisers have decided to switch back to metal medallions for the 2024 event.
The decision to use wooden medals was made in an attempt to make the event more eco-friendly, but it seems that not everyone was pleased with this choice.
Next year’s participants, who will be cycling from central London to the countryside of Essex and back, will receive medals made from recycled zinc alloy.
According to Kevin Nash, RideLondon Route Director, the organisers took the feedback from riders into consideration and are pleased to have identified a way to produce a sustainable metal medal that aligns with their commitment to sustainability.
Zinc alloy is considered to be more recyclable than aluminium alternatives, and any remaining materials will be melted down and used to create new products.
Approximately 25,000 cyclists, many of whom are fundraising for charity, are expected to participate in the upcoming event in May, making it one of the largest events of its kind in the world.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
