Cycling in the workplace

Transport for London, Business in the Community, British Cycling and Cycle to Work Scheme providers come together to help businesses promote cycling. Transport for London, Business in the Community, British Cycling and the key Cycle to Work Scheme providers have come together to embrace the momentum from the Games, and are today launching a unique, national initiative to help more employers promote cycling in the workplace. 

With the backing of Norman Baker MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport), Julian Huppert MP (Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling) and Chris Boardman MBE (Olympic Gold Medallist and cycling hero), the new ‘businesscycle’ website will act as a ‘one stop shop’ to help the business community and employers create a positive environment to support continued growth in cycling for work journeys. 

‘Businesscycle’ focuses on why and how employers should promote cycling in the workplace.  It provides advice on promoting cycle safety and security – two often cited barriers to cycling – and highlights cycle safety tips, cycle training, good locking practice and bike registration.  The site also includes guidance on pool bikes, cycle parking facilities and cycle to work schemes. Organisations that sign up will have access to fantastic offers for themselves and their employees, such as discounts on cycle parking, British Cycling membership and cycle security kits.

Through this new initiative TfL and its partners are helping to create a lasting cycling legacy, capitalising on the success of the London Olympic Games. Research by Sky and British Cycling found 52 per cent of all people surveyed were motivated to cycle as a result of the achievements of Team GB’s cyclists.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:  

“It’s the age of the cyclist in London. The incredible achievements of Team GB’s Olympic cyclists have inspired thousands more Londoners to take to two wheels and they are now reaping the rewards of fun, active travel across the capital. We want employers to capitalise on this enthusiasm and encourage more of their staff to weave cycling into their lives. This new website is a one-stop shop of information to support them.”

Ben Plowden, TfL Director of Planning, Surface Transport, said: 

“The success of the London 2012 Games has spurred on a huge growth in cycling across the country. At TfL we want to nurture that growth and encourage more people to take to two wheels as a means of transport for both leisure and work. ‘Businesscycle’ is a great way of encouraging businesses to promote cycling to their employees in a positive way, giving both employers and employees access to a wealth of information regarding good cycle practice.”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community, said:  

“For the past three years, through its ways2work programme, BITC has been working with businesses to influence sustainable commuting and business travel.  We are now delighted to be a businesscycle partner and part of what we believe will be a resurgence of cycling as an efficient, healthy and equitable form of transport benefiting people, businesses and communities across the UK.”

Transport Minister Norman Baker said:  “I welcome the launch of this website and know it will provide a valuable resource for businesses looking to take a positive step and promote cycling in the workplace. 

“Cycling is great for the environment, great for the economy and great for people’s health and I would encourage as many people as possible to log on and take to two wheels.”