Cycle to work

Did you know that a half of all journeys to work made by car are under five miles?  For journeys to work of this length, cycling offers a cheap, healthy and fast alternative to driving, and it doesn’t take as long as you think to pedal this distance. Staff who cycle to work arrive alert, happy and ready for the day ahead. They save a lot of money too!

Swindon has some first class cycle routes, many of which are off road.

What you can do as an employee to encourage cycling in your workplace

  • If you do not already have safe, secure and covered cycle parking along with lockers, changing/drying facilities and showers, lobby your management.  There is funding available to help employers provide this; see www.swindon.gov.uk/swift and our case studies page for more details and some good examples.
  • Find out whether your organisation has a Bicycle User Group (BUG) for staff to network together and discuss cycling. If not, offer to set one up!  There is further information and advice on setting up a group on the Cycle Friendly Employers website.
  • Ask your employer to provide 'pool bikes' if many of the staff do short local business trips. (Folding bikes make excellent pool bikes, especially as they can be used easily on journeys combined with public transport)
  • Ask your employer to set up financial incentives such as interest-free loan, discounts for bike purchases and preferential cycle insurance rates. There are salary sacrifice schemes available to help you buy new bikes tax free through payroll. There's comprehensive information on the Bikeforall website.
  • Does your employer offer a cycle mileage allowance to enable financial reimbursement for staff cycling on company business?  If not, lobby your HR department for fair treatment.  Employees should be entitled up to 20p per mile tax free.
  • Promote and publicise cycling - you can have a stock of Swindon cycle maps for your workplace; e-mail Swindon Borough Council for some copies.
  • Join in the Swindon Cycle Challenge at www.swindoncyclechallenge.org.uk
  • Convince your marketing / communications team that there are other CSR benefits to holding cycling initiatives; for example a puncture repair service, or regular free bike servicing checks.
  • Promote Adult cycle training to give your colleagues confidence in the saddle.  Challenge Swindon run courses and can help you. See the "Up n Cycling" website for details.
  • Organise some informal lunch time or after work social rides with colleagues.