Cycling To Work
Cycling is a quick and easy way to travel to work
Cycling to work
Since 1998, the Roads Service Transportation Unit has been working at creating a safer infrastructure for cyclists in Northern Ireland. The creation of the National Cycle Network (NCN) is a major part of this process and there are now 1250kms of NCN cycle paths throughout the Province.
Cycling is a quick and easy way to travel to work. Cycle commuters argue that once you take to two wheels you’ll never want to drive the car to work again.
Cycling to work gives you a regular exercise routine, while getting you where you want to go.
It is estimated that cycling can take ten years off your ‘fitness age’ due to the development of a stronger heart and lungs, increased muscle mass, and a less stressed constitution. Yes, you can pedal the work stress away – try it!
Cycling to work gives you a regular exercise routine, while getting you where you want to go.
It is estimated that cycling can take ten years off your ‘fitness age’ due to the development of a stronger heart and lungs, increased muscle mass, and a less stressed constitution. Yes, you can pedal the work stress away – try it!
The benefits to you
- Improved levels of fitness – research shows that currently 7 out of 10 men and 8 out of 10 women do not do enough physical activity to maintain a basic level of health and fitness.
- Stress relief – physical activity can reduce stress levels and improve productivity. ·
- Help the environment – once the manufacturing process is complete bicycles have a very small negative impact on the environment, by cycling you reduce the number of cars on the road improving the environment for all, including reducing harmful emissions, and improving road safety.
- Save Money – Once the initial outlay of buying a bike and the associated safety equipment/clothing has been made there are few ongoing costs to cycling. If you use your bike for making business journeys ask your employer to consider paying subsistence cost that would cover maintenance such as replacement of tyres. After all you could be saving your employer larger fuel expenses.
- Could save precious time – half an hour cycling to work every day may take longer than using the car but your won't have to spend hours slogging at the gym to keep fit.
The benefits to an employer
- A healthier and more alert workforce.
- Can reduce staff stress levels and absenteeism.
- Free up valuable car parking space.
- Reduction of peak time congestion.
- Reduce transportation costs. Staff who use their bike to travel to work may, if suitable, use their bike to carry out work duties.
- Provide a fairer employment package that benefits all staff not only car users, this may help in recruitment and retention of staff in a competitive market.
- Good environmental image for the company – being proactive in providing a range of transport opportunities for employees show that the organisation has a forward thinking and environmentally sound culture.
- Contribute towards the implementation of environmental management systems and gain recognised accreditation e.g. EMAS or ISO1400.
Cycle friendly employers
Many employers have realised the benefits of having a workforce that cycles. A number have led the way in providing facilities and measures that enable their staff to cycle to and from work as well as for business use.
Some examples of this include:
- Internal or external secure cycle parking
- Showers, changing rooms and lockers
- Annual bike user allowances
- Supply pool bikes and accessories for business trips
- Bike mileage rates for business use
- Promote the facilities to staff
- Provide maps of local routes
- Relax the dress code and introduce flexible working hours
Increasingly employers are setting up Cycle to Work or Bike Purchase schemes to enable employees to take advantage of tax relief which can save up to 40% on the cost of a bicycle. for more information see guidance produced by Department of Transport.
Bikes and public transport
Combine using your bike and the train or bus to cover greater distances. Folding
bikes are especially useful for commuter journeys as they can be carried onto a bus or train. Alternatively,
leave your bike at the station.
Choosing the right bike for you
When buying a new bicycle, there is a wide range to choose from, so it's worth considering
how you intend to use it. Some bikes are designed specifically for certain uses, for example, off road
or racing, while others are more adaptable to everyday use. The following summary of bike types and
features will help you decide which style of bike is right for you.
Getting on that bike
There's a bicycle in your garage. It's dusty. It's tyres are flat. You haven't ridden it since you got it three summers ago. You keep telling yourself that you really have to get that bike out, but you never quite do it. Right? Or close enough?
Why not ride it to work?
You don't have to be a car-hating eco-nut to ride your bike to work. (And if you are, you probably already do.) All you need to be is somebody who wants to exercise, save money, save fuel, de-stress, and have fun. Riding your bike to work is a great way to make two aerobic workouts part of your daily routine.
If you're like most of us, you probably have a big list of excuses for not getting on your bike..
Cycling tips
- Do your first ride at the weekend. Test-ride your intended route. You might learn that your intended route isn't the best. You can also experiment with alternative routes without any time pressure.
- Set reasonable goals. Don't plunge in over your head. Start out by telling yourself you're going to do it one or two days a week. When you've met that goal, try to do it three days a week.
- Don't make yourself miserable. If you hate riding in the rain, don't ride in the rain.
The Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy aims to improve conditions for cyclists and create a cycle-friendly culture in Northern Ireland
Downloads:
- NCN Map
- NI Cycling Strategy (PDF, 1529Kb)
- NI Cycling Strategy First Report (PDF, 395Kb)
- ni_cycling_strategy_second_report.pdf
Belfast by Bike
The Department for Regional Development and Sustrans have produced the map - Belfast by Bike – which shows cycle lanes, cycle tracks, cyclists toucan crossings, targets traffic calming zones and generally shows you how to cycle safely in the city.
Belfast by Bike Map. (PDF, 1029Kb)
Cycling encourages independence
By allowing children to make their own way to school you can help them to become more confident and independent, which is especially important in the transition from primary to secondary school. The school journey is an ideal opportunity for children to learn road safety awareness and other life skills.
For many children, cycling is simply more fun and more sociable than going to school by car, and they love the feeling of freedom it gives them.
Bike Week
Bike Week 2009, (13-21 June 2009)
Travelwise NI Bike Week once again grabbed the attention of commuters and others in NI sometimes with the assistance of the weather and sometimes despite the weather. The NI cycling public again demonstrated that cycling can be a fun and inexpensive mode of travel even when the sun is not shining.
DRD Minister Conor Murphy showed his support for cycling by launching Bike Week with the assistance of Olympic medallist Wendy Houvenhagl in Belfast.
Wendy also made her way to Carnmoney to meet some of the schools pupils and to show them her silver medal. If the Carnmoney PS pupils are not inspired to try their luck at competitive cycling then perhaps they will be inspired to continue cycling as they move on to secondary education and the workplace.
Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor the Right Reverend Alan Abernethy is a keen cyclist and joined Andy Bready to show his support for Travelwise NI Bike Week 2009. Bishop Abernethy caught the mood of the occasion and indeed of cycling generally saying "I love the open air and sense of fun. Obviously cycling is so much better for the environment. My request is get on your bike>
On Monday 15 June the Travelwise Team took their bicycles to Parliament Buildings to enlist the support of MLAs for Bike Week. The Team was delighted by the response from MLAs from all parties who were encouraged by the sunshine to get together outside Parliament Buildings. Many joined the Team to show their support or to get their photograph taken with Andy Bready. Other MLAs were only too keen to show their skills on two wheels. Conor Murphy was foremost among those trying a few tricks as were Catriona Ruane Simon Hamilton and Danny Kennedy although everyone was upstaged by the wheelies from Ian Paisley Jr.
When it came to serious cycling the MLA Bike Race was easily won by Roy Beggs Jr who had put his cycling credibility on the line by arriving with his own bike. However he then proceeded to show a turn of speed which would probably have impressed Wendy Houvenhagl.
Travelwise is grateful to all the elected representatives who participated at Stormont and at other venues across Northern Ireland during Bike Week.Their ongoing support for cycling will no doubt have a significant impact on the Teams efforts to promote cycling.
On Wednesday June 15 the Travelwise Team hosted a Bike to Work Day breakfast at Clarence Court following a rendezvous of bikers at the NCN route adjacent to the Gasworks. DRD Minister Conor Murphy showed that he is a cyclist for all weathers as he joined Travelwise and colleagues from Roads Service and other parts of DRD as well as cyclists from other Departments, from Belfast City Council, from the Health Service and from the private sector at the Gasworks. Many of the group had cycled from various parts of Belfast and some real cyclists who regularly commute from as far away as Hillsborough, Lisburn etc mixed happily with fair weather cyclists who turned out for their annual spin. Roads Hydebank staff as usual showed their support joining the group at the Gasworks and tucking into some healthy nourishment before leaving to cycle out to Hydebank to put in their days work.
If you need any additional information or you wish to speak to the Travelwise NI Bike Week Co-ordinator, please contact:
Andy Bready Phone (028) 9054 0595
E-mail andy.bready@drdni.gov.uk
For further information on National Bike Week, and to find advice on how to organise an event, visit the http://www.bikeweek.org.uk/.
