Cycle Friendly Employer

If your workplace can answer ‘yes’ to these 11 questions your organisation could be a Cycle Friendly Employer!

About

Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Friendly Employer Award is a nationally recognised award for all organisations located in Scotland who are committed to increasing the staff trips by bike. Developed with support from the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, the aim of the award is to give employers the incentive and tools to promote cycling in the workplace, resulting in benefits for employers and staff alike. The award also provides best practice guidance in relation to cycle commuting and can be used as a practical tool to implement cycle measures as part of a sustainable travel plan. Each stage of the award process is fully supported by Cycling Scotland and the award is accompanied by a number of resources, including commuter training, small grants, and activity resources.

The step by step Cycle Friendly Employer Process

1. Identify a committed workplace ‘cycle champion’ to lead you on your work 2. Register your organisation online 3. Complete the online self-assessment.  This is quick and easy, and allows us to gauge what stage your organisation is at 4. Cycling Scotland will feed back any recommendations and an action plan 5. Once you have collected supporting evidence we will carry out a short assessment visit 6. Successful workplaces will receive a framed certificate and access to a range of support services.

The Big Count – 16th May 2012

The Big Count is a bi-annual survey intended to provide an overall view of cycling trends across the country, and help inform future developments that will support and enable workplaces to encourage higher rates of staff cycling.  Whatever the current rate of cycling at your workplace, your information will help us to build up the bigger picture.

On the 16th May 2012 please count the number of bicycles in your works’s bike sheds/bicycle stands and submit your total online here

All entrants have the opportunity to win a bike and an expert visit from Dr Bike for your workplace.

Supporting Services

CFE Workplace Grants

Cycling Scotland are pleased to announce the return of the popular Workplace Grant schemes.  Organisations working towards achieving Cycle Friendly Employer Status can apply for up to £2,000 to help put in place measures aimed at promoting and increasing staff cycling.  Workplace grants are supported by the Scottish Centre For Healthy Working Lives, and successful applicants will be able to demonstrate that their cycling initiative supports wider health promotion. Application forms and guidance notes are available to download here.

Cycle Commuter Training

Cycle Commuter is an 8 hr course designed to support new and existing cyclists with the confidence and skills to make their journey by bike. The focus is on practical experience, and their is an appropriate balance of practical sessions and classroom based activities. By the end of this course attendees will be able to:

  • Check a bike is safe to use
  • Make minor adjustments and carry out simple roadside repairs
  • Plan a journey
  • Make an independent journey

Principally aimed at workplaces, this course has been designed to offer the maximum flexibility of delivery.   It is intended that this course will be delivered across four sessions of 2hrs duration, allowing for lunch time and/or after hour delivery.  However, it can also be delivered as a full day or two half day sessions. For more info contact Chris on 0141 229 5353. Cycle Commuter is currently being offered to organisations registered with Cycle Friendly Employer for the subsidised rate of £100 for a class of 8 – normal price £450

LoveHate My Bike Communications Resource Kit

The ‘I Love/Hate My Bike’ Campaign employs catching visuals and opportunities to personally tailor     the messaging to engaging with staff and encourage them to consider cycling. Designed to encourage     staff to participate, the campaign sets out to overcome many of the perceived barriers, and promote     the benefits available to individuals.  A range of printed material is supported with an online social        marketing campaign. Join the debate at facebook.com/lovehatemybike or contact  info@cyclingscotland.org to order a pack for your workplace.

Cycle Friendly Employer ‘Champions’ Handbook

This helpful booklet guides you through the award with helpful tips and recommendations.  Available for download here.

“Considering Cycling to Work?” DVD Workshop

This facilitated workshop is aimed at staff members who have contemplated active travel, and provides the opportunity to consider and reflect how cycle commuting could benefit them.  Using a DVD developed during a research project for the University of Edinburgh, the session lasts 1 hour, and is ideal as lunchtime workshop and introduction to cycle commuting.

Links and advice

Cycling Scotland are a member of various partnership bodies such as the Physical Activity Health Alliance and the Physical Activity Partner Group, along with Sustrans, JogScotland, Paths for All and SwimScotland.  We have links with the Scottish Government, local authorities, regional transport partnerships and other cycling agencies.  If we cannot immediately answer your question, there is an excellent chance we know someone who can!

Hall of Fame

Please visit our Cycle Friendly Employer Hall of Fame, showing all of our Cycle Friendly Employers with a selection of helpful case studies to give you ideas and promote shared learning.

contact

Isla Campbell – Development Officer
islacampbell@cyclingscotland.org

Christopher Johnson – Lead Development Officer
christopherjohnson@cyclingscotland.org

Register now!