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10 Point Plan

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10 Steps to facilitate cycling within your NHS Trust

  1. Form a Bicycle User's Group
  2. Installation of secure cycle storage
  3. Provision of adequate changing areas
  4. Provision of storage lockers
  5. Provision of showers for cyclists
  6. Signs to show where these facilities are
  7. Education/adverts within Trust promoting cycling
  8. Tax free cycle purchase scheme
  9. Paying mileage allowance and pro-rata payment for car parking
  10. Attitude. Value your staff for the cars they don't drive

1) A bicycle user's group is invaluable. The members can guide the installation of facilities and if they have "ownership" of the plans, they are more likely to be satisfied and use the facilities once installed. A Bicycle Users Group might consider affiliation with the cycle campaign "Cyclenation."

2) Cycle theft is 28X more likely than car theft. Therefore, cycling is only viable as a means of transport if this risk of theft is reduced. Bike storage is not free. High quality strorage is about a tenth the price of car parking, though. Ideally, the storage should be close to entry points, very visible, covered from the elements. CCTV is invaluable.

3,4,5) Changing areas, lockers and showers should be accessible to cyclists within close distances of cycle storage. They should be regularly cleaned and should be of a high standard. Saving money here will lead to cyclists not using the facilities and changing in offices and wards, with cycles, helmets, lights and damp clothing throughout.

6) Signs indicating these new facilities further advertise the fact that the Trust is now cycle friendly.

7) The cycle user's group should be encouraged to organise events to promote cycling. Advertising in Trust newsletters etc are all useful. Educational meetings regarding health and fitness benefits are worthwhile.

8) Introduce a salary sacrifice cycle purchase scheme. This is government backed and allows employees to save tax on cycle purchase. The employer is allowed to make a respectable profit too.
 
9) Pay cycle mileage for NHS business mileage. The rate is a minimum of 10p/mile and is set out in Agenda4Change. Paying a more generous rate is allowed and encourages use of cycles. If the rate is less than that paid for motorists, the Trust still saves money. Consider charging pro-rata for car parking. This rewards staff who mix cycling and driving charging less than for daily car parking.

10) Become cycle aware. Change your attitudes. Senior management must get used to thinking about the benefits cycling brings to their institution. Value your staff for the cars they don't drive.