Making your workplace more cycle friendly  

A key factor in encouraging more people to use a bike for commuting and business travel is the need to make workplaces more cycle friendly.

Facilities that promote active travel include:  

1. 1. bicycle parking
2. 2. Showers, changing facilities and lockers
3. 3. Cycle Routes
4. 4. Maps and resources
5. 5. Cycle Training
6. 6. Incentive schemes
7. 7. Cycling events

1. 1. Bicycle Parking
2. Providing a safe place to park bicycles is key to encouraging staff to ride to work. Bicycle parking should be close to the actual building. It should be secured, well - lit, sheltered from the weather and overlooked by nearby offices and people passing by for added security. Ideally access should be level to avoid carrying bikes up or down stairs. 

One option would be to include a lockable compound (accessed by a swipe card or key). 

Cyclist should also be able to lock the frame of their bicycle to a stand which supports the bike.  

1. 2. Showers, Changing facilities and lockers
   Showers, changing areas and lockers should be close to the entrance of the building. A well-ventilated area for drying clothing apparel should also be provided. Lockers enable staff to store personal items such as towels, clothing and helmets. Again, ideally they should be well-ventilated, secure and lockable.

Extra facilities such as tools for bike repairs, towels, ironing facilities, hairdryers and toiletries should also be considered.

1. 3. Cycle Routes
   A map of home addresses of employees would help identify residential areas with high locality of employees within cycling distance to the workplace. 
2. The map can be used to identify the main routes cyclists are likely to take to their workplace, also helping with a meeting point for a BUG (bicycle user group) to start their journey to work. 
4. 4. Maps and resources
   Route maps showing the site, best cycle routes and location of bicycle parking should be distributed to staff and available for download from the company website.
6. 5. Cycle Training
   Employers may choose to offer cycle training for their staff. Bicycle NSW currently have a training course called Gear Up Staff - hour-long sessions held during the lunch break. Cost: $44 per person (lunch not included)
7. For more information please contact Russell Jones russellj@bicyclensw.org.au 
8.  
9. 6. Incentive schemes
   Some businesses choose to offer incentives to their employees to cycle to work. Schemes might include payments for each day that you ride to work, free staff bikes, or free bike maintenance.
10.  
11. 7. Cycling events
    Events are a great way to encourage staff to give riding a go. Many events have the option to enter a corporate team which is both a great team-building and fundraising exercise. Events include: Ride to Work, Ride2School, Earth Ride, Spring Cycle and the Gear Up Girl Challenge

Improve facilities at your workplace   

Tools for Cycle Friendly Workplaces (Travel Smart Australia)

Cycle-Friendly Workplaces (City of Sydney)

No Excuse Zone from EDAW

Based on a series of test rides, a zone around Sydney CBD was mapped to measure the distance a healthy person can cycle with in half an hour.
The map is surprisingly far reaching suggesting that if a person lives within this zone the No Excuse Zone - and works in the CBD, then they should cycle to work at least a few days a week.

Click here for more details