Round-the-world cyclists highlight solar potential

A trio of British eco-campaigners have set off on a round-the-world expedition on their bicycles, to highlight the potential of solar power in the fight against climate change.

Susie Wheeldon, Jamie Vining, and Iain Henderson plan to give the money raised from their 12,000 mile adventure to SolarAid, a charity that teaches poor communities in rural Africa to build and sell solar devices.

They’ll also be calling on the UN to give its backing to solar at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference later this year.

Custom-made thin film solar panels attached to their bikes will provide the energy for their GPS tracker and mobile phones.

Before setting off, the cyclists posed for photographs outside London’s city hall, and well wishers – including Mayor Boris Johnson – gathered to see them off.

“I would like to wish Susie, Jamie and Ian who are kicking off their intrepid expedition right outside London’s City Hall, the very best of luck,” Johnson said.

“Their trip demonstrates the very latest solar technology, which not only has an important role to play in tackling climate change but also helps to support the development of the green economy.”

Susie Wheeldon, who quit her job at Lloyd’s of London to study for an NVQ in bike maintenance in preparation for the trip, said: “With the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference at the end of the year we have an amazing opportunity to adopt technology that can tackle climate change and create new sustainable industry.

“This expedition allows us to highlight already available solar solutions as well as demonstrate how solar energy can be used to power everyday appliances such as our phones.”