How can i encourage my employer to promote cycling

[martynjc1977]

I want to put a pack together to promote cycling into work. My employer is in the process of expanding the site but has no plans to increase the parking (great lol) and even now the parking situation is at breaking point. Many of the staff live within 5-6 miles. Those that don't tend to lift share even more at the moment due to fuel prices. we are in the country side so no real congestion problems, however out of 350 staff only 4 cycle and all of us live 15+ miles away !!! I live in HULL
The local roads could put people off as the A1079 is a nightmare and is classed as the 7th most dangerous road in england (i found an alternative)

So I am just looking for some advice as to how to put this together with correct and relevant info,without sounding like a green nut or a cycling preacher,

Martyn.

 

[BentMikey]

You'd want to push the benefits of cycling, such as:

*Cycling is roughly as safe as walking
* Three fold use of your time, not only the commute, but a free workout, and the enjoyment.
* Health benefits - regular cyclists have the health of someone ten years younger, and live on average 2 years longer. Most cyclists tend to be higher earners than the national average.
* Put up typical door-to-door cycling times based on a map with several distance circles at, say, 1, 3 and 5 miles. Compare with door-to-door times for a car.
* Organise and sort out issues such as cycle parking, showers (probably not needed for a slow 5 mile ride), etc.
* See if you can organise some cheap or free cycle training from your council, perhaps as a special group set up just for your company.
* Set up some sort of buddy riding system to help new cyclists start their commute.

 

[peanut]

let his tyres down one night and be on hand to lend him your bike !:?:

seriously though most of the countries Local Authorities have already gone this route. I would suggest that you look at a few websites and maybe contact their PR or HR people .
South Somerset Council are one of the foremost promoting cycling. They have twice had the tour of Britain. We have some fantastic cycle routes and paths here.
Taunton Borough Council have a bike to work scheme whereby they lend staff the money to buy a bike interest free

No sense in re-inventing the wheel. I'm sure they would be happy to help .You could also try Sustrans

welcome to the forums by the way

 

[Moonlight]

That's a tricky task - my only imput is to prehaps emphise that support the government will give to a cycle friendly company, and hint at the possibility of funding. Most employers just love money =P

 

[martynjc1977]

Thanks for the pointers, I do believe that I have my work cut out as many of my co-workers are die hard clarkson esk car nuts. We already have showers and the token bike shed but some motorbikes get put in there. This shed can hold only 6 cycles securely more without locking to immovable stands but better than nothing. If i can change the minds of a few i will feel like i have achieved something.

 

[peanut]

what about organising a charity ride for staff and familes ? your company could sponsor some local worthwhile cause and promote cycling.

 

[martynjc1977]

Have thought of that one peanuts but it's one thing sorting out a charity ride it's another changing peoples attitudes towards commuting choices, i.e there is more than one.

 

[Twenty Inch]

How about a cycling vs. car challenge?

Set off at the same time, see who gets there first, sort of thing?

 

[Brains]

Personally I find this frightening that in 2008 they are not forced by the planning regulations to cater for 20% of the staff arriving on bikes and as a maximum cater for 50% of the staff arriving by car, with the percentage dropping by at least 1% per year

I work in the City of London, so appreciate the situation is different but my office block probably has about 600 people working in it, we have a bike shed for 40 bikes (always full) plus other bikes parking areas, we have showers with fluffy towels, lockers and a bike purchase loan scheme. We have parking for 6 (yes six) cars, so 1% provision. Each of those cars has to pay £8 pr day congestion charge on top of whatever the companies are paying the landlord each year for the space.

That to me is 'minimum specification' for a modern building (as in anything built, upgraded or refurbished this century)

In order to get your employer to get up to speed/smell the coffee/keep within the envelope and other such management speak phrases that you can use, is to sell the idea on the cost saving/health benefits.

A cyclist has fewer days off sick than a car driver
The question is how many fewer ?
Each sick day costs your employer an amount (average salary on your site)
Multiply the number of additional days and tell him for each person he persuades to come in by bike, that is what he saves.
It also gives him the budget to work on so that he can provide cycling facilities that would not be out of place in a top rate hotel, as a minimum nice showers, lockers, hanging/drying area and fluffy towels

Money talks.

 

[jonesy]

Emphasise positive messages about the benefits both to employee and employer. While cycling isn't for everyone, it is a positive choice that many would like to have available to them, and that those employees (including potential recruits) will value greatly if they are given that choice.

TfL summarises some of the benefits on their website:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/workplacetravelplanning/7460.aspx

Lots of very useful evidence based stuff on health is available on the Sustrans website:
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1091694766555

 

[domd1979]

It might be worth getting touch with a Travelwise / Travel Plan type officer at your local authority. There's likely to be a requirement for a travel plan as part of the planning consent given to your employer for expanding the site. The LA can remind them of this, and help them out with getting a travel plan in place. A lot of companies try and ignore the obligation to put a travel plan in place until they get a nice letter reminding them they are in breach of their planning consent if they don't comply....

 

[doyler78]

You'd want to push the benefits of cycling, such as:

*Cycling is roughly as safe as walking
* Three fold use of your time, not only the commute, but a free workout, and the enjoyment.
* Health benefits - regular cyclists have the health of someone ten years younger, and live on average 2 years longer. Most cyclists tend to be higher earners than the national average.
* Put up typical door-to-door cycling times based on a map with several distance circles at, say, 1, 3 and 5 miles. Compare with door-to-door times for a car.
* Organise and sort out issues such as cycle parking, showers (probably not needed for a slow 5 mile ride), etc.
* See if you can organise some cheap or free cycle training from your council, perhaps as a special group set up just for your company.
* Set up some sort of buddy riding system to help new cyclists start their commute.

Why on earth would you want to promote that. How will you put this in. Cycling has many benefits and is often elistist and snobbish. Do you fit the bill then please join our quaint little group where we can discuss how we can spend an extra £1000 to save a few hundred grams when if I just ate a little less I could save a kilo or two. Not really the image I think we need to promote. Seriously there is a problem in getting employees from the lower socio-economic groups to cycle anywhere. Often the perception is that cycling portrays and image of them that don't want burdened with ie they can't afford a car. We really need to broaden the appeal of cycling if it is ever to get widespread support.

 

[BentMikey]

And this bit is designed to exactly avoid that perception. It's cool to own bikes, and it probably means you can afford both an expensive bike and a car. Not some beard straining lentil soup drinker living on the dole.

 

[hackbike 6]

Bit stereotypical that post.

 

[doyler78]

And this bit is designed to exactly avoid that perception. It's cool to own bikes, and it probably means you can afford both an expensive bike and a car. Not some beard straining lentil soup drinker living on the dole.

And why shouldn't we encourage someone on the dole to cycle?