1. Cycle Commuting – Encouraging Sustainable Transport Mark Knowles 14 August 2006

2. Cycle commuting – a healthy way to work Regular physical exercise has proven physical and mental health benefits for employees Incorporating exercise into daily life, such as by cycle commuting, increases the likelihood of employees keeping active, and has additional benefits for an organisation

3. Healthier Employees = More Productive Employees Healthier employees benefit an organisation in a number of ways: 1. Lower absenteeism 2. Reduced staff turnover 3. Higher morale 4. Higher productivity 5. Lower health care costs

4. Regularly active people take less sick leave

5. Collateral Benefits Improved time keeping Access to a wider base of potential employees Improved overall access to sites Enhance an organisation’s image In the marketplace In the local community Contribution to overall social benefits of improved environment, health and social inclusion

6. Removing the obstacles: Making cycling a practical choice Involving staff (including current and potential cyclists) can help identify ways of facilitating cycle commuting. These may include: Ensuring secure bicycle storage Providing showering, changing and clothes-drying facilities Offering access to bikes through long-term loan or salary sacrifice schemes In addition to consultation, a range of best practice literature is available from organisations such as the CTC and Sustrans.

7. Implementing the plan 1 According to best practice, there are 7 key stages to achieving sustainable travel in an organisation: 1. Commitment at a management level and setting initial goals 2. Seek advice from local government 3. Allocate staff time to develop and promote plans

8. Implementing the plan 2 4. Gather data on current travel patterns 5. Identify specific targets and the measures to achieve them 6. Raise awareness by involving staff, unions and others affected 7. Launch the plan and make arrangements to monitor and review progress

9. Further Resources National TravelWise Association (www.ntwa.org.uk)www.ntwa.org.uk Dept. for Environment, Transport and the Regions “Preparing your organisation for transport in the future” (www.detr.gov.uk)www.detr.gov.uk Cyclists Touring Club “Projects: Cycling to Work” (www.ctc.org.uk)www.ctc.org.uk Sustrans / National Cycle Network “Active Travel and Healthy Workplaces” (information sheet FH06) Cycling England “Cycle to Work Scheme” (www.bikeforall.net)www.bikeforall.net