WIREDGOV

Transport for London (TfL) is working with local businesses to encourage their employees to cycle more through the TfL Cycling Workplaces scheme.

Employers are being encouraged to become more bike-friendly by taking advantage of the free TfL cycling support available, including cycle confidence building and providing secure parking for their bike once they arrive at work.

TfL is offering employers with more than five members of staff a range of free cycle safety initiatives and on site cycle parking.

More accessible cycling

The cycle parking will help to contribute towards the Mayor's target to implement 80,000 additional cycle spaces by 2016, making cycling even more accessible to Londoners.

Ben Plowden, Director of Strategy and Planning, TfL Surface Transport, said: 'We want to get more people active this year so we're teaming up with local employers to get more workers to commute by bike.

'Cycling is a great way to get fit and healthy and employers benefit from a more active and in-turn productive workforce.'

Red Bee Media, an award-winning international media services agency based in Ealing, is one of the businesses to have benefited so far.

They ordered cycle stands and now have 40 cycle parking spaces for their staff.

Andy Nicholls, Operations Manager, Red Bee Media said: 'The stands have made a huge difference to people who cycle to work here.

'We previously had bikes left outside with insufficient places to lock them securely.

'We now have a dedicated space and we hope this will encourage more people to cycle to work.

'We'd certainly recommend and encourage other employers to make use of these initiatives.'

'A big improvement'

Parcelforce, an international courier and logistics company, also ordered cycle stands through this initiative and now have 24 parking spaces available for their 200 employees at their Ealing depot.

Rob Crosbie, Operations Team Manager, Parcelforce said: 'Our staff are happy with the quality of racks and the security they offer.

'There has been an increase in cycle usage, freeing up parking spaces and increasing the morale of staff.

'The supplied racks are a big improvement on our previous facility.

'We would definitely encourage other businesses to make use of this initiative.'

WSP is one of the leading global environmental and sustainability consultancies in the world.

They ordered the 'London by Bike' seminar and Cycle Safety checks from the Cycling Workplaces scheme.

David Symons, Director of WSP Environment & Energy said: 'TfL offered us the 'London by Bike' safety seminar, delivered in a group at our workplace.

'The session covered top tips, information and a bike maintenance demonstration.

'The session was really useful for our experienced and novice cyclists alike.

'This course and the other packages offered are a great way to encourage safe and responsible commuter cycling.

'I would definitely encourage other organisations to take part in this scheme.'

Businesses can register at www.tfl.gov.uk/cyclingworkplaces or email cyclingworkplaces@tfl.gov.uk to see what offers their workplace is eligible for.