Why cycle parking is rated as being the most important factor in encouraging employees to cycle to work

We all know that there are benefits for employers if their employees cycle to work. Not only is it ‘doing their bit’ for the environment it is also improving the health and wellbeing of their staff.
Sustrans (a leading UK charity supporting sustainable travel) are championing this with their Cycle to Work Standard which is calling on Government to set minimum standard of facilities and support that workplaces should provide for those people commuting by bike.
Sustrans have also been getting employees views and attitudes to this issue and asking what their attitudes are to cycling to work. The survey results highlighted a very interested, and somewhat unexpected, results in terms of what employers could do to encourage employees to cycle to work.

Past discussions had always highlighted the provision of showers as being a major factor, but the results of the survey, which had over 10,000 responses, actually had the provision of secure cycle parking as more important amongst both cyclists and non-cyclists.

So if you are an employer and you want to encourage cycling to work amongst your employees, you are going to have to tackle the issue of good cycle parking not only for your current cyclists, but also with enough capacity for new cyclists too.

What do you need to consider?

The position of the parking

Ideally any cycle parking facilities should be visible. Access shouldn’t be near to dangerous roads and should be convenient (so not miles away from the entrance). It should also be well away from smoking areas.

Security

The position of the cycle parking goes long way towards security, ensuring it has a prominent position near to facilities / entrance. You also need to consider lighting and whether CCTV is needed. If a cycle parking compound is used there are various access control systems available to protect the bikes and users.

Capacity

You need to allow for the future number of cyclists rather than just the ones you have already.

What if you have limited space?

If space is at a premium there are a number of cycle parking options that only take a small footprint. The basic Sheffield Stand is ideal for small areas.

Car parks are an often neglected area and taking over a few car park spaces can provide cycle parking for many cyclists.Two tier cycle shelters and racks optimise the number of cycle parking spaces provided. A single car park space could provide cycle parking with a two tier stand of up to 24 cycles (as long as there is space for access either side). When using car parking spaces, you will need to consider the safety and cyclists when in close proximity to cars.

What if you have no budget?

In some areas there is local authority funding to subsidise cycle parking in the workplace.  You should contact your Local Authority directly to see if funding is available in your local area.

If you are looking to encourage more employees to cycle to work, make sure you consider the cycle parking facilities you provide them.