Julia9054
Guru
- Location
- Knaresborough
This is very interesting - thank you.I think BREEAM is making a difference, at least for new builds or major refurbishments.
BREEAM is a sustainability standard - companies get a score based on how sustainable their building is. Part of this is down to construction materials and design, and part of it is based on the building facilities. (gross oversimplification - sorry!)
Companies like the kudos of having a building that is scored “Outstanding” or “Excellent” rather than just “Very good” - and achieving high BREEAM may also be a planning requirement.
So what’s that got to do with cycling? Well, you get 1 BREEAM point if you have “sufficient” cycle storage spaces - the numbers vary from sector to sector, but typically at least 1 space for every 10 employees. (or for schools etc, it’s per 10 staff+student).
You also get a second point if you provide at least 2 of Showers/Lockers/Changing/Drying facilities.
https://www.breeam.com/BREEAMUK2014SchemeDocument/content/07_transport/tra03.htm
You also get points for NOT having too many car parking spaces!
We are having some major building works done at school and an email was sent to all staff this week asking how we travel to school. Apparently we need breeam accreditation as part of the planning permission.
Our staff bike sheds are secure and very good but I am looking forward to having a changing room and drying facilities. Currently, the male members of staff have a changing room. I have to get changed in the staff room corridor or a toilet cubicle.