How can i encourage my employer to promote cycling

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Why’s BentMikey getting such grief??

It’s pretty obvious what he’s pointing out:
a.

ONE of the barriers to people starting cycling is that SOME members of society/the press have the belief that the only reason people cycle is because they can’t afford a car

couple this with the fact that

b.
Like it or not, rightly or wrongly, - lots of people, especially those on a lower income, view being on a low income as some kind of indication of failure

Therefore:

Taking a & b into account – many people, especially those on lower incomes, won’t cycle because they believed that in doing so they will be perceived as being a failure.

Pointing out that cyclists statistically as a group tend to be higher wage earners is not snobby or elitist, but simply aimed at changing a few inaccurate and negative perceptions that prevent some people from cycling in the first place.

 

[Origamist]

Martyn, I've posted a link to this paper before, but it's well worth a read:

Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The
Netherlands, Denmark and Germany​

John Pucher and Ralph Buehler

http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/Irresistible.pdf

There's also info here:

http://www.cobr.co.uk/e-cobr_information/cycling_initiatives/sections/ncs/employers.shtml​

 

[domd1979]

I can understand the reasoning behind the statement, but I don't think its one that's appropriate to use in the work place for promoting cycling. In trying to change attitudes in a wider context then yes it might have a place - but if promotion of much higher levels of cycling is successful, the statement will cease to be true!!

 

[magnatom]

I agree, bentmikey said nothing wrong and his logic makes perfect sense to me. Have a look at my youtube videos and you will see that I get lots of 'get a car/pay tax/get a job' type comments. This is because of the perception that cyclists are generally low earners which is often not the case.

Of course we should be encouraging cycling for all, but as BM has pointed out his comment is relevant in this case.

 

[domd1979]

I think though, its a much wider issue. The perception comes about because since car ownership took off (1960s ish onwards), cycling has become increasingly marginalised. It is often perceived that cycling on the road must be unsafe and unpleasant, therefore, many people see it as a transport of last resort so the only reason you'd be mad enough to cycle must surely be because you can't afford a car. The perception has come about through how cyclists are provided for by transport and town planners, and that's where a great deal of the solution lies, not in trying to promote cycling on the basis of cyclists earn more money. I would also guess that the demographic of cyclists in London is different than for cycle commuters outside London.

Its not a dis-similar situation for bus travel. Outside of London the perception of bus travel is the transport of last resort. It is true that outside of London, the majority of bus passengers do not have a car available for the journey they're making. Bus travel is not successfully promoted by saying "buy a bus pass, lots of our passengers can afford a car you know!". Increased bus travel amongst car owners has come about through upping the quality of the service and promoting it well. Operators are now latching onto fuel prices as a marketing tool - like National Express West Midlands' "dump the pump" advertising - http://www.travelwm.co.uk/features/Dumpthepump-Jumponthebus/8/ . There's no reason why cycling can't be promoted in a similar way.

This is because of the perception that cyclists are generally low earners which is often not the case.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

“A man who, beyond the age of 26, finds himself on a bus can count himself as a failure.” Margaret Thatcher (1986)

And (unfortunately) loads of people would still agree with that quote.

Need to change the myth. Be that nationally or in the work canteen.


BTW domd's "buy a bus pass, lots of our passengers can afford a car you know!" is not a bad idea.... think it would work on some people

 

[dodgy]

Bentmikey took the time to point out some varied benefits for cycling to work, someone took exception to one of those points. What about the other points he took his own time to point out? I'm sure the OP can select the points that will have the most impact in the company he works in.

So doyler78, have you posted anything other than pedantic drivel about bentmikey's assistance? Perhaps you could give the OP some help?

PS - I like the idea about the map with cycling times, some motorists will be surprised to see how quick it can be. Maybe include on the map some kind of colour coding that would indicate speeds would increase as fitness improves thereby driving home the health benefits?

Dave.

 

[domd1979]

Am working on a project at the moment that will do precisely this. As GIS can measure times along the road network it'll be more accurate than a concentric circles job. Should be interesting how it turns out.

PS - I like the idea about the map with cycling times, some motorists will be surprised to see how quick it can be.

 

[martynjc1977]

I think all the points raised here are relevant and i thank you all for your input and advice, trying to get over the perception that cycling is unsafe/ or for people who cant afford a car is going to be the biggest hurdle even though there is statistical proof that it is safer than walking and many cyclists do earn more than average, it will be easier to put across the benefits i.e health, longer life as no one could argue with that. I am hoping with the current fuel price, and other motor related price increases that cycling will become an option people will consider, but this is for the wrong reasons as i believe cycling should be done for the enjoyment and freedom that it brings not because it's the cheapest/ greenest option.

 

[doyler78]

Now that BM has actually explained his reasoning I do understand where he is coming from however I still think that bringing income into the equation is problematic because in trying to explode one myth you create another. That cycling is elist and snobbish because those that cycle tend to be high earners. Is this really any more desirable basis on which to encourage staff participation.

Furthermore within the workplace environment the issue is less relevant as staff's status within the organisation is generally known therefore the idea that staff are worried that other colleagues will think they can't afford a car seems to me to be errant and how does this really change the perception of people outside the workplace to which magnatom refers. This I know from experience, as I am sure most of you do also, that what my colleagues say to me is "why don't you get a car" because they well know that I can afford one therefore by introducing this argument does nothing to change the perception of my colleagues therefore why introduce it at all.

The reason I gave him such hard time is because he persistently accuses me of not understanding what the OP has asked about. I haven't. I just view it differently. I already said that I thought he made some very good points and his original post was actually very good but for the income comment. I didn't think it relevant then however now that he is explained his reasons I see that for him it is relevant however I think that it is problematic for the reason I have given at the start of this post. Because he didn't make clear his reasoning for his income comment then I couldn't possibly have misinterpreted it as it was never explained in the first place.

I hope that clears this up.

 

[doyler78]

Bentmikey took the time to point out some varied benefits for cycling to work, someone took exception to one of those points. What about the other points he took his own time to point out? I'm sure the OP can select the points that will have the most impact in the company he works in.

So doyler78, have you posted anything other than pedantic drivel about bentmikey's assistance? Perhaps you could give the OP some help?

PS - I like the idea about the map with cycling times, some motorists will be surprised to see how quick it can be. Maybe include on the map some kind of colour coding that would indicate speeds would increase as fitness improves thereby driving home the health benefits?

Dave.

That's what forums are for. Am I not allowed to point something which I seen as wrong because he made good points elsewhere in this post which I had already acknowleged that he did. Seems to be a silly sort of way of conducting public debate.

I have contributed anything new because anything I had to say in the way of advice has already been said by others.

 

[Origamist]

I am hoping with the current fuel price, and other motor related price increases that cycling will become an option people will consider, but this is for the wrong reasons as i believe cycling should be done for the enjoyment and freedom that it brings not because it's the cheapest/ greenest option.

To get more people cycling you need some large, tasty carrots and a stick.

 

[summerdays]

trying to get over the perception that cycling is unsafe/ or for people who cant afford a car is going to be the biggest hurdle

If you can come up with routes that avoid major road junctions especially roundabouts which may be very off putting. Or using traffic lights to get across it might help some of the newbies. Although see if the council offers any training would be even better.

And maybe some advice that they don't have to wear cycle specific clothing if they are only cycling 5 miles.

But make sure there is a bit of advice about LBS's being a good place to get bikes and why they shouldn't buy a Dual Suspension bike to commute on.

 

[Arch]

To get more people cycling you need some large, tasty carrots and a stick.

Well, Carrot Cake, at least...

Perhaps something the OP could do, if he can get the bosses on board, to combine the 'charity ride' idea, and the commuting impetus, is have a charity commuting challenge day - get people to ride in (this assumes of course, that they have bikes), be sponsored for charity to do it, and all those who cycle get a free breakfast (if you have a canteen), or a free donut and coffee or something. If you can arrange it, get a local 'Bike Doctor' from a bike shop or local council, and promise a free checkover for bikes too. This might give people a reason to cycle 'one off', but also show them that it's possible long term.

Depending how much work you were prepared to put in, you might be able to get anoyone who wanted to do it to 'register' with you, and work out a route that keeps them off the nasty road. People living near each other could gang up and come in together and so on.

One scheme I heard of (agian, this is for when you have the bosses' backing perhaps) was that for every day someone cycled in they got a little sticker on a card and when the card was full (however many you choose to make it!) it became a voucher for money off at a bike shop. Obviously, that needs the bike shop to be in on it too...

In terms of getting the employers round, I'd say the key things are healthier, fitter, more awake-in-the-morning employees, reliable journey times (so less being late because of traffic) and perhaps more of a sense of cameraderie among cyclists, than among drivers?

One other thing - if the place is out in the countryside, as the OP says, the race against a car idea might not be so valid - I think that tends to work best in heavy town traffic.