Cycling to work by Sam Mckinven

 Why should I cycle to work?

There are not many people who would cycle to work for a number of reasons. Most people travel to work by car despite traffic problems. However some businesses are trying to encourage people to cycle to work. They are offering incentives such as paying them extra for each day they cycle. By investing in showers, changing facilities and lockers close to the entrance of the building will encourage employees to cycle. Employees will want to make sure that their bikes are safe so these businesses are paying for secure bicycle parking with offices overlooking. Also by helping employees to find a route to work that consists of cycle routes they will feel that they are being supported by their employers. If a business has staff bicycles then employees who do not own one do not have to worry about going and buying one that they may only use for work.

 

Businesses want to encourage their employees to cycle to work to reduce congestion around their site and to try and stop their car parks overflowing onto local residential parking. It will reduce the number of people who are made late because of traffic. If a well known company is seen to have its employers cycling to work it will look good for them. As well as all these benefits, it helps to reduce global warming and so businesses are portrayed as environmentally friendly. Not only will cycling be beneficial to businesses but also to the person cycling as it will keep them fitter and healthier in general. Cycling regularly can reduce health risks such as; cancer, cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, coronary heart disease, depression, diabetes and obesity.

 

 Group cycling

Another way in which employees can be encouraged to cycle is to set up a bicycle user group. Employees can set a meeting point suitable for everyone and travel together. Business journeys that are travelled to by bicycle can be more enjoyable in a group. 

 

For some people who have to travel further to get to work it is harder to be able to travel to work by cycling. Some councils are working with public transport so the people who are not able to cycle all the way to work can use a mixture of public transport and cycling. To help with this more cycle access ramps are being introduced along with cycle lockers and cycle parking.

If young people such as teenagers see an increasing number of people cycling to work they may want to do the same and if children are encouraged to cycle when they are young they will feel it is normal and be more willing to cycle to work in later life themselves.

 

*According to the labour force survey in autumn 2005; 71% of people travel to work by car, 11% on foot, 8% by bus, 6% by train and 3% by bicycle. In London these figures differ; 42% travel to work by car, 16% by bus and 28% by rail.

 

Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity see their website for more information.