Why Cycle to Work

It makes a lot of sense to commute by bike, both for you and your employer. Encouraging others – it’s easier than you think!

Already cycle to work? Now it’s time to show your colleagues and employer just how good it is.

How to set up a Bike Users Group
Once you have a group of people interested in cycling to work, it’s a great idea to set up a BUG – or Bike Users Groups. This can be done in work or on Fit2talk, by creating your BUG in the groups page of Fit2talk you can setup your own personal page for all your Bike Users were you can share, talk and go through plans on how you will cycle to work.

I have created a test group for all users interested in Cycling: Please click onto this link Cycle to Work

Why cycle to work
Commuting by bike helps you and your employer in lots of ways. Here are just some of the benefits. 

As a commuter you’ll save money on parking or bus fares. You’ll get there quicker, with no sitting in traffic jams either. It’s a brilliant way to get fit without having to go to a gym too; and because you’ll be healthier, you’ll have fewer days off sick, be able to concentrate better and be less stressed.

As an employer your staff will be healthier, able to concentrate better and less stressed. So why not encourage them to use their bikes? Ideally you’ll have safe, secure covered cycle parking, showers and lockers for equipment. You could also offer a mileage allowance if employees cycle on work business. You could even start a Ride to Work scheme which helps staff buy bikes for work, or introduce a workplace travel plan. Simplessssss.

Encouraging others- it’s easier than you think. If you already cycle to work, you’ll know all the benefits- saving money, being fitter, getting there quicker to name just a few. But it’s easy to persuade colleagues to join you or your employer to be more cycle-friendly. All you need are the right tools...

Let’s ask the question....

Why don’t more people cycle to work?
Basically, there are three reasons:

·         No bike

·         No confidence

·         No cycle facilities at work

However, none of these need be a problem. Here’s how to overcome these obstacles and convince others to take riding to work seriously.

No Bike
A perfectly good commuter ‘hybrid’ bike can cost less than £200 – but there are ways to get them for even less.

Your local bike shop might well be willing to offer your company a discount, particularly if there’s a lot of potential custom there; you might even help them promote any special offers or discounts.

Then there’s the government’s Bike to Work Scheme. This allows people to save 40% on the cost, by buying a bike through their company. The bike is VAT-free, and payments are taken over 12 months through deductions from wages made before tax. Your employer saves money too, and you’ll need to talk to your HR and payroll departments about it.

If you do a lot of local travelling as part of your job, why not see if your employer would introduce Pool Bikes to use for the nearby visits instead of cars? That would take the pressure off parking spaces, too.

No confidence
How many people have a bike, but never use it because they’re afraid of cycling on busy roads? The answer’s simple. Either plan a route to avoid them ( our check Fit2talk journey planner which will help); or try cycle training. Several companies offer on-road training locally, or ask your local authority if they offer it themselves.

The image of cyclists is changing too. They’re no longer seen as people who can’t afford a car – they’re now smart and cool ( especially when they can ride past queues of traffic!).

No cycle facilities at work
In the same way companies provide car parking spaces, isn’t it only fair cyclists should be provided for? Covered parking would be ideal, somewhere visible and close to work; showers and lockers too, you can get changed after riding in.

If your employer needs convincing, try this fact: a Dutch survey in 2009 showed absenteeism amongst cyclists was on average 15~% lower than other employees. Not only that, encouraging cycling will save them money fit with any ‘green’ policies they have; to help your case, use the links below or contact your local authority’s Travel plan Co-ordinator.

You could also get your company to introduce a Travel Plan that promotes car sharing, public transport, walking and, of course, cycling as alternatives to travelling alone in a car. Your local authority can tell you more

Helpful links
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/travelplans/work
www.cyclingengland.co.uk