Want to Change your Works Cycle Provisions?

[mgarl10024]

...The problem is whenever we speak to employers they claim nobody cycles which we know is a lie! ...

... enhancing employers green credentials. ...

I've tended to find (in my limited experience) a lot of (what I've heard referred to as) "greenwash". Companies seem very keen to be screaming "we're green" because they know it's a hot topic, but when pressed to install things like Jezton's shower or new cycle stands, they suddenly go quiet or there's red-tape in the way.

 

[johnr]

I wonder whether a truncated cycle training/maintenance taster would help. My colleagues who do not cycle (and Hull is almost flat) cite fear as the main reason. Confidence building may work wonders - as would business pressure to get local roads made more cycle-friendly.

Wouldn't it be great to hear of a firm saying we may have to relocate because the roads are not safe for our cycling employees!

There's a good review of a BTWIN bike that costs just over £100 in Cycling + this month... what about a couple of loaners for a month or so, so that staff could give commuting a try without having to buy? A ride on a well maintained bike is a great advert.

 

[Dags11]

The company I work for have a decent sized 'shed'.

One annoying feature which has evolved over the years is people leaving chains/d locks attached to the stands, I counted 29 last week.

This has diminished some of the parking spots.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

The thing with a Sheffield stand is that if I have an errand to do, have taken the recycling on the way etc. and have my trailer attached, I can lock the trailer to the bike and the bike to the stand. I imagine recumbents, trikes and other HPVs are better catered for with a Sheffield stand (assuming room enough to access it). I often arrive somewhere with panniers laden already, before shopping to cram even more weight on the bike - I can run a cable lock through the pannier handles if I can't take the panniers off - I don't want to have to lift a bike.

Other designs which are more "tailored" become more exclusive to a standard unladen bik, and I wouldn't particularly like shelling out good money for a recumbent bike, start a job at a new company that boasted about its wonderful facilities and then find that my bike was "the wrong shape" for the cycle parking facilities there.

Not to say that the newer designs don't have certain advantages, however many seem to assume that any HPV is a rougly standard shape and doesn't have any luggage or other attachment. I'd like to see designers start with a laden recumbent trike with trailer as an example of the vehicle, and then make it also suitable for a lightweight road bike with no rack or guards.

If I were speccing cycle parking, purely as an ideal, for somewhere with a limited space, I might look at the cyclepods to get more capacity, but I would still add a number of Sheffield stands. I'd bet the Sheffield stands filled up first - although admittedly maybe just from riders' habits.

 

[brokenbetty]

Agree with the "the more bike-specfic the stand, the less useful it is" comment.

From my own experience, the first step is to challenge the assumption that if you cycle you have to have a shower. The sports obsesssed cycle industry have created a belief that the second you turn a pedal you become a sweaty monster but its just not true. Short rides dont justify it unless you choose to go balls-out and use your commute as training. Remove the need to install showers and the whole thing looks a lot more achieveable to the budget holders.

 

[Sara_H]

A few years ago I had a slipped disc and was in alot of pain most of the time.

My physio recomended I continue cycling as it's good for slipped discs (stretcing out the spine etc).

At the time I tink I would have had alot of trouble/pain trying to lift my bike into one of the pod style bike stands.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

• I want secure covered cycleparking installed in consultation with the real cyclists/users; all bikes are not the same size for instance so my bike only fits one of the wall mounted stands at work.
• I want somewhere secure to store/air/dry wet (often sweaty) cycling gear where it won't get stolen
• I want private shower/changing space and somewhere to hang/dry a towel
• I want somewhere to store my washkit where it won't get borrowed

Guess what... I'm in charge of premises/facilities where I work and I've actually been able to deliver only about half of that. Difficult building to adapt/work in and limited budget for a small group of staff who cycle.

Will all get very interesting when we move offices later this year to somewhere with less than 50% of our current car park capacity.

 

[mgarl10024]

There's a good review of a BTWIN bike that costs just over £100 in Cycling + this month... what about a couple of loaners for a month or so, so that staff could give commuting a try without having to buy? A ride on a well maintained bike is a great advert.

In principle, this sounds like a good idea, and looking on BetterByBike (Bristol area) they seem to be offering this: http://www.betterbyb...g-and-employers.
The only thing I'd suggest is that it is not easy at the start. Being very unfit, my work colleagues egged me on and I gave commuting a try. There was an instant sense of achievement - sure - but it was very hard work and I can't say that it was really enjoyable. Without my colleagues taking such an interest, I can't honestly say whether I'd have kept it up. It's only after a few months, when I started seeing improvements, and it didn't feel so tough, that the bug bit and I wouldn't give it up. I'd just be concerned that people may be put off if it is hard at first, and starting them off with a cheaper-end bike might just add to that?

From my own experience, the first step is to challenge the assumption that if you cycle you have to have a shower.

I can't say that I go "balls-out" or use my commute for training. However, I am unfit and heavy, and must climb several hills to get to work. This morning, it was very cold, I averaged 10.3mph over 7.2miles, and by the time I got here I had sweated through a t-shirt. For me, for unfit people like me, and probably for most new cyclists who you are trying to encourage, showers are a must (or I'd become very unpopular very quickly in the office!).

 

[Holdsworth]

Where I work there are absolutely no provisions at all for cyclists. I have to lock my bike up in a tin covered open sided shelter where the motorcycles and 'peds are stored. Not even a wheel bender in sight. I also have to walk 5-10 minutes across the entire site through multiple warehouses to get to my office because cyclists and other two wheeled vehicles are not allowed into the yards between the warehouses, too many HGVs and red tape to allow it apparently.
There are no changing facilities so I just use the disabled bogs at the top of the stairs.

If I were to be allowed to lock up at the other car park I would be a short hop from my office.

I do see some cyclists other than me venturing in on some days, maybe up to 4 on a nice sunny day but it is usually just me.