Cycle Friendly Employer Resources

This document was written by Patrick Morgan for the Hillary Commission, 20 July 2001

Cycle Friendly Employer Resources

Regular physical activity
"Just 30 minutes of physical activity taken regularly will benefit the health of everyone." (US Surgeon General, 1996)
Cycling fits the bill perfectly. It is healthy, affordable, good for the environment, practical, and fun. Best of all, it is easily integrated into daily activities such as commuting to work or school.
"In New Zealand 67 percent of car trips are less than 6 kilometres long, and 33 percent are less than 2 kilometres" - easy distances for bike trips. (LTSA Travel Survey Report 1997/98)
Benefits of being a Cycle Friendly Employer are:

Healthy employees
Improved productivity
Less absenteeism (A US study showed sick leave fell 20% when employees exercised three times per week.)
Workplace flexibility
Greater job satisfaction
Reduced need to provide car parking
Lower costs for at-work journeys
A solution to pollution
Greener and healthier corporate image

1. Resource for Hillary Commission's Let's Get Moving! / Nekenekehia toolkit

On your bike
Ideas to get your workplace moving
Facilities

Set up a safe, well lit and secure place to store bicycles
Provide lockers to store riding and work clothes
Provide access to changing rooms, and consider showers, hair dryers and irons
Supply prominent bike parking for visitors

Equipment

Supply basic bike tools such as pumps and repair kits
Print cycling clothes with your company logo
Provide workplace bicycles for local trips and deliveries
Negotiate a discount at local bike shops

Communication

Survey existing travel to work patterns
Distribute maps showing the best routes to work. Contact your local authority or cycling group for assistance.
Set up a noticeboard and intranet for sharing information <
Publish articles in staff newsletters
Be seen to be green - promote your workplace as a cycle friendly business
Keep in touch with other cycle friendly employers
Contact Cycling Advocates’ Network <secretary@can.org.nz, www.can.org.nz> for information about cycling groups in your area.

People

Lead by example
Start a BUG (Bicycle Users Group)
Introduce a 'buddy' system for inexperienced cyclists
Appoint a Cycle Coordinator to promote cycling

Events

Support 'Bike to Work' days, with free breakfasts
Enter work teams in events such as the Taupo Cycle Challenge and corporate triathlons
Invite guest speakers

Policy

Write a Green Transport Plan
Introduce a cyclist-friendly dress code
Allow flexible working hours so cyclists can avoid rush-hour traffic
Subsidise the purchase of bikes and safety equipment
Pay mileage allowances on a similar basis to motorists
Provide access to alternative transport in bad weather

2. Suggestions for further Cycle Friendly Employer Resources
We recommend the Hillary Commission support the production of further resources. Contact CAN if you would like our help with this.
2.1 Checklist of facilities for cyclists
One-page checklist to help employers assess their progress towards being cycle friendly
2.2 Workplace Cycle Plan
A sample Cycle Plan; which details aims, rationale, strategies, targets, budget and accountabilities. (sources: Cycle Friendly Employers Good Practice Guide, Anne Taylor, Appendix 5, p23; The Best Way to Work, Employers' Scheme Report, London Cycling Campaign, p7)
2.3 How to start a BUG
A Bicycle Users Group is a group of employees with an interest in cycling who get together or stay in touch by email. They develop ways to make the workplace more cycle friendly.
2.4 Travel questionnaire
Sample questionnaires to help employers collect information about how their staff travel to work and any problems they experience.
2.5 Workplace shared bicycle policy
Sample policy for shared bikes in the workplace. A shared bike can cut costs for at-work journeys.
2.6 Facilities guide
Construction and installation of stands, and suppliers of bike lockers
2.7 Tried and tested tips for cyclists, by cyclists
A brief document covering topics such as

Choosing a bike
Choosing equipment
Security
Cycling in city traffic
Insurance
Contacts

Communication channels to deliver these resources
Producing resources is only half the story. We recommend the Hillary Commission consider the following ways to deliver this information.

Supporting cycling advocacy organisations
Sponsorship of 'Bike to Work' days
Sponsorship of sports events
Partnerships with businesses
Partnerships with associated organisations, e.g. Bike Wise, retailers, regional sports trusts, local government, central government transport agencies, ACC, Police, Ministry of Health, Employers' Federation, Chambers of Commerce
Conference presentations
Media releases
Advertising
Information kit
Web page
Email discussion groups
Printed materials: leaflets, posters, stickers
Promotional items such as reflectors, lights, and clothing

References
1 Publications
Most of these publications are available from the Cycling Advocates' Network library.
For a complete list check the CAN website <www.can.org.nz >

1.1 Cycle Friendly Employers
Good Practice Guide, by Anne Taylor, Cycle Friendly Employers Scheme, Cambridge, UK, 1999, 28 pages, booklet
Travel for Work Newsletter, Travel for Work Partnership / Cycle Friendly Employers, 9 Portugal Place, Cambridge CB5 8AF, tel 01223 712 429, UK, <www.cfe.org.uk > Issue 6, April 2000, newsletter
Cycle Friendly Employers' Information Sheet, Sustrans, 35 King St, Bristol BS1 4DZ, tel 0117 926 8893, <www.sustrans.org.uk > August 1997, 4 pages
Cycle to Work, Federal Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, Australia, <www.dewrsb.gov.au > 20 pages leaflet
Nottingham Cycle Friendly Employers Project, Nottingham City Council, UK, 6 pages, leaflet
The Best Way to Work, Employers' Scheme Report, London Cycling Campaign, 228 Great Guilford Business Square, London SE1 0HS, <www.lcc.org.uk>, UK, 1997, 20 pages
Get Cycle Friendly, London Cycling Campaign, 228 Great Guilford Business Square, London SE1 0HS, tel 0171 928 7220, UK, 1997, 8 pages
1.2 Health
The New Zealand Health Strategy, Ministry of Health, Dec 2000, <www.moh.govt.nz > 54 pages
Transport and Health, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Dec 2000, Vol 10 No 3, Australian Health Promotion Association, magazine
Why Should Health Providers Promote Cycling? London Cycling Campaign, 228 Great Guilford Business Square, London SE1 0HS, tel 0171 928 7220, UK, 1997, 2 pages
Cycling Towards Health and Safety, British Medical Association, Oxford, UK, 1992, book
Cycling and the Promotion of Health, by Mayer Hillman, in Policy Studies 1993, 14:49-58 UK
1.3 Policy
The Economic Significance of Cycling - a study to illustrate the costs and benefits of cycling policy, Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG), The Hague, 2000, < www.vnguitgeverij.nl > 52 pages

1.4 Facilities
Austroads Guide to Traffic Engineering Practices: Part 14 - Bicycles, End of Trip Facilities, Chapter 10 (p132-142)

2 Internet

2.1 Cycle Friendly Employers
Cycle Friendly Employers Newsletter (Cambridge, UK) <http://www.cfe.org.uk/>

2.2 Commuting
Commuting links <http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Sports/Cycling/Commuting >
Resources for Bicycle Commuters <www.biketowork.com >
London, UK information you need to get on your bike and ride. <www.cyclecurious.freeserve.co.uk/fscc.html >
Queensland government cycling homepage <www.transport.qld.gov.au/cycling >
2.3 Advocacy
NZ Cycling Advocates' Network <www.can.org.nz >
Advocacy links <http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Sports/Cycling/Advocacy >
Sustrans (sustainable transport, UK) <www.sustrans.org.uk >
Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority <www.eeca.govt.nz>

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