Cycle Friendly Employers’ Information Sheet INFORMATION SHEET FF11

Becoming a Cycle Friendly Employer © Julia Bayne

“...part of the solution Environmental Specialist explains his rather than part of the company's interest: problem.” “We are making efforts to minimise the effects of almost continuous traffic Hewlett-Packard, Boots and the congestion on our people and our Bodyshop are just three of the employers businesses. Cycle commuting is a great who are taking steps to become cycle way to cut traffic congestion and friendly. As part of a package of pollution, reduce your sense of stress measures to help employees reduce staff and improve your health. By promoting car trips to and from work, known as cycle commuting we are trying, in short, Green Commuter Plans, these initiatives to be part of the solution rather than can bring real benefits for employers: part of the problem.” Simon Forsyth, Hewlett-Packard's

Journeys to Work – contributing to traffic congestion

But why should companies be looks set to grow as traffic volumes are roads is generated by people travelling concerned about the way their expected to double by 2025. to and from work, emphasises that employers can make a difference. employees travel to work? As well as undermining the One reason is financial. The competitiveness and vitality of industry, In 1996 The Boots Company recognised Confederation of British Industry the growth in motor traffic brings with this potential and launched its Green estimates that congestion costs the UK it associated dangers of increased Commuter Plan for staff at its head economy somewhere between £15 and environmental pollution, road accidents office in Nottingham. Boots aim to cut £20 billion each year. And congestion and lower quality of life for those who employee commuter trips by 10% by live on or near 2000 and by a further 10% by 2005 © Steve Morgan busy roads with through encouraging their staff to think their noise and about car sharing, cycling, walking and fumes. using public transport as alternatives to driving to work. By cutting back on unnecessary Gordon Davies, Head of Facilities car journeys, Management at Boots sees this as a companies can natural extension of his company's play their part philosophy: in reducing the harmful affects “Boots are a health care company. of motor Through our range of products traffic. And the and services we aim to promote startling good health, and this starts on statistic that our doorstep by encouraging our one fifth of the employees to get to work by traffic on our healthy means.” In congested cities cycling delivers short, predictable journey times

1 So - what's involved in becoming a Technical Doing Our Bit more cycle friendly employer - and how much will it cost? GUIDELINES Top of the list for many companies is Listed below are some suggestions on the feeling of “being part of the ways to become cycle friendly. These Sustrans guidelines for the selection solution”. Samantha Towle, Head of ideas may provide a helpful starting of cycle routes highlight five criteria Environmental Audit for the Body Shop point - but every situation is different to consider: reiterates this point: and you will quickly develop your own. SAFETY - a route which minimises Many of them are can be put into perceived and actual danger (eg “For the Body Shop being action very cost effectively. environmentally responsible is an from motor traffic by avoiding 1. Raise the issue heavily trafficked roads and using integral part of our ethos. Being a cycle friendly employer is a practical Talk to your current cycling cycle paths) and gives a feeling of employees - they will have a good safety. way of putting this policy into practice by encouraging our staff grasp of the situation at your COHERENCE - the route should be to contribute less to pollution - and site(s) and ideas for ways to continuous and provide cycle the feeling of “doing our bit” can attract more cyclists. friendly links into popular be a great morale boost.” Carry out a survey of current destinations. Cycle paths that travel-to-work patterns among suddenly stop leaving you at a busy Encouraging your employees to your employees to work out what junction can be very unnerving. switch from car driving to cycling might encourage some employees brings other benefits: to switch from using a car. © Julia Bayne A healthier workforce - cycling Draw up a Green Commuter Plan - four miles a day halves the risk of a package of measures, including coronary heart disease and regular targets to aim for. cyclists enjoy a fitness level Adopt a policy of welcoming equivalent to being ten years cyclists - and promote its younger. existence. Cyclists are more likely to arrive at Include information on cycling to work on time - cycle journey work in new employee packs. times can be quicker and more Host a cyclist's breakfast on predictable than other means. A National Cycle Week - and invite five mile journey can be senior staff to lead by example. comfortably cycled by an adult in 30 minutes. To quote a commuter Promote a cycle to work day of Example of changing area in the cyclist: “There are days when the the week - Friday can be a good workplace. traffic is so bad that only things day, particularly when associated moving are on two wheels”. with a ‘casual dress' day. DIRECT - commuter cyclists in Cycling is an excellent stress 2. Provide secure cycle parking for particular want to get to their reliever & cyclists take fewer sick staff and visitors. destination as quickly as possible. In days than non-cyclists. Broadly speaking there are three designing routes for cyclists the aim types of cycle parking: racks (such should be to provide a shorter and Save on car parking space - you as the simple U-bend “Sheffield quicker route than the equivalent can fit 12 - 16 bikes in the space Stand”); individual lockers and one for motorists to encourage taken by one car. lockable cycle sheds or cages. See It’s cheaper than providing a people to cycle. below for suggestions of further company car ATTRACTIVE - cyclists are much sources of information on Cycle friendly policies can raise closer to their surroundings than installing cycle parking. the profile of the business through motorists and will enjoy attractively Ideally the cycle parking should be good PR - the media are attracted landscaped and well lit routes. in a prominent place which is at by employees on bike' type stories. Sustrans has used seats, sculpture least as convenient as the car © Julia Bayne and drinking fountains on some parking. cycle paths to make them fun as It should be well signed, close to well as practical. well used entrances and accessible along safe, well lit paths. COMFORTABLE - cycle paths should be smooth, well maintained with gentle gradients and flush kerbs and, where possible, well away from the noise and fumes of busy roads. Bike shed for staff at Hewlett Packard, Bristol. 3. Provide advice on commuter routes The National Cycling Strategy: The route you might use to drive to work isn't necessarily the best TOWARDS QUADRUPLING THE LEVEL OF CYCLING BY 2012 route for you to use if you are cycling. Providing new cyclists Launched in 1996, the with help in choosing their routes to cycle to work will help them National Cycling Strategy gain confidence. brings cycling to the centre of Consider setting up a ‘buddy' transport policy and planning. service for new cyclists where It is the result of experts, they are paired with more cyclists and the Department of experienced cyclists for their first Transport coming together and few journeys to work. sets out an action plan under Produce a map showing the best four key elements: routes in to your site by bike. Making travel `sustainable’; Your local authority cycling officer Improving cycle security; should be able to tell you about Promoting cycling and changing new and existing cycle routes. attitudes; Consider the needs of cyclists if Ensuring that traffic planning planning changes to site lay out integrates cycling into the way or thinking of moving to new the road system is designed and A National Cycle Forum has been set up premises: how accessible will the managed. to encourage implementation of the new site be for cyclists? NCS through both the private and Major employers can contribute - and 4. Provide changing facilities public sectors and one of its Working are contributing - in a big way to the Intrepid cyclists will change in the Groups looked specifically at cycle first three of these action points. Theft toilet, but changing facilities are security, resulting in a guide to and vandalism of bikes is a major welcomed by most. Showers can `Approved Security Products’; concern to cyclists. Already local be useful for cyclists who are authorities are helping to tackle this commuting a long way. Southampton City Council has carried through programmes of on-street out a review of design, construction “Cycling is a key element of a truly parking provision. Also ways of and installation of cycle parking integrated transport strategy. I hope all improving cycle registration and recovery equipment which is now available. employers will take steps to improve by linking to the Police National Computer are being looked into. For further advice on parking consult facilities for cyclists at the CTC’s the workplace.” © R.J.M. useful technical references on Dr Gavin Strang, Transport Minister layout, installation and suppliers and approach your 5. Offer incentives local authority - the Planning Pay a bicycle allowance for using or Technical Services a bike for business trips which Department - who may be covers the actual cost of cycling able to help. (calculated at 15p/mile) or, better still, that matches the rate you Cycle Friendly Employers is pay for the smallest cc car: published by Sustrans, the Leicestershire County Council pay civil engineering charity co- 23.8p for business use. ordinating the development of Offer interest free cycle purchase the National Cycle Network. loans Commuters using advanced stop lines in York. Offer a cash payment for employees who are willing to give SUSTRANS would like to thank you for We are grateful to Bristol City Council, up their car park passes. taking the time to read this guide. It is Hewlett Packard and Yeovil Cycle only through the active support and Challenge Project for their sponsorship 6. Set up a BUG (Bike Users Group) co-operation of the widest possible which has made this leaflet possible. BUGs can be a good forum for cross-section of society - individuals Companies interested in other cyclists to exchange information and companies, private and public sponsorship opportunities associated and to consult with managers on sector organisations - that a more with the network are invited to contact providing good facilities for sustainable transport future for the our Corporate Fundraiser at: cyclists. A guide on setting up BUGs is available from Project next millennium can be created. Sustrans, 35 King Street, Bristol, BS1 4DZ Tel: 0117 926 8893 Fax: 0117 929 4173 Bike in Bristol tel: 0117 930 0032. The National Cycle Network is authorities are working in For details of National Cycle a £400m project to partnership with Sustrans, the Network routes near you contact revolutionise cycling in the UK civil engineering charity with your local authority cycling by creating a linked network more than 20 years of officer, write to Sustrans, 35 of 10,000 miles of high quality experience in constructing safe King St, Bristol BS1 4DZ, or visit cycle route through the heart routes for cyclists, walkers and the Sustrans web site at: of most major towns and cities people in wheelchairs, to www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk in the UK. Over 400 local create the network.

THE LONDON CYCLING CAMPAIGN - © Julia Bayne SOURCES OF FURTHER the largest urban cycling campaign INFORMATION group in the UK. Publish an excellent guide for cycle friendly guide for YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY CYCLING employers and employees called "Get OFFICER - many local authorities are Cycle Friendly". Also available is Cycle actively trying to encourage more Parking Equipment and Installation people to cycle more often and some Standard guide with details of suppliers are involved in implementing plans for in the London area. improved cycle routes. A Cycling Officer, London Cycling Campaign, or someone with responsibility for 228 Great Guildford Business Square, Cycle friendly push button control cycling, will be a good central point of 30 Great Guildford Street. London, SE1 0HS Tel: advice about local cycling routes, 020 7928 7220 Fax: 020 7928 2318 e-mail: [email protected] TRAVELWISE - launched in events and helpful contacts and may Website: www.lcc.org.uk/lcc/ Hertfordshire in 1994, TravelWise is a welcome suggestions for additional THE BICYCLE ASSOCIATION - trade partnership of over 40 local authorities routes which employers would find organisation for bike manufacturers. working to develop positive solutions to useful. Produce a set of free, informative traffic congestion. A quarterly ACTIVE FOR LIFE - 6 out of 10 men leaflets ideal for novice cyclists newsletter “Changing Tracks” contains and 7 out of 10 women are not including: Cycle Commuting, Britain By useful information about local physically active enough to benefit Cycle, Where to Cycle, Choosing a Bike, initiatives and contacts. To obtain a their health. Active for Life is a three Helmets, Lighting etc. Please write with copy ask your local authority for details year campaign launched in 1996 by the an SAE. or contact Sustrans for a list of Health Education Authority to Bicycle Association, Starley House, Eaton Road, participating local authorities. encourage adults in England to become Coventry, CV1 2FH more active more often as part of Tel: 01203 553838 Fax: 01203 22836 everyday life. TRANSPORT 2000 - a national “The workplace offers the potential to environmental transport campaign reach 22 million employees. Work and which publishes a number of useful physical activity are both important - documents including “Changing so why not combine the two and reap Journeys to Work" (£30), a guide to For further copies of this or the benefits all round?”. Campaign Pack setting up Green Commuter Plans other factsheets please call available. which is packed with useful ideas and INFORMATION LINE Health Education Authority, Hamilton House, practical advice for employers. 0117 929 0888 Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9TX. Transport 2000, Walkden House, Monday - Friday 8.30am -5.30pm Hotline: 020 7413 2637 10 Melton Street, London NW1 2EJ Saturdays 10am - 2pm THE CTC - Tel: 020 7388 8386 Fax 0171 3882481 (March to September) e-mail: transport2000@+2.demon.co.uk provides information and services to or visit over 40,000 members. Send for an SUSTRANS - the civil engineering www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk information sheet on cycle charity co-ordinating the creation of 35 King Street, Bristol BS1 4DZ parking. Also publish "Cycle Friendly the National Cycle Network. Contact for Tel: 0117 926 8893 Fax: 0117 929 4173 Infrastructure: Guidelines for Planning information about local plans for NCN Charity no. 326550 and Design" (£15) which includes routes. Publish “The National Cycle comprehensive advice on providing Network: Guidelines and Practical THERE IS NO COPYRIGHT facilities for cyclists. Details” (£29.50) which provides - PLEASE PHOTOCOPY detailed advice about creating a high CTC quality cycle route as part of the 69 Meadrow, Godalming, Surrey Tel: 01483 417217 Fax: 01483 426994 National Cycle Network. e-mail: [email protected] Website: Sustrans, 35 King Street, Bristol, BS1 4DZ Tel: www.ctc.org.uk 0117 929 0888 Fax: 0117 929 4173 Website: www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk This document is printed on recycled or environmently friendly paper