| n the wake of the 2009 climate change conference in | | | | accessories, providing a very real incentive to those |
| Copenhagen, the British Government has launched a | | | | for whom price is a major obstacle. On top of this, |
| new commitment to lowering carbon emissions. The | | | | studies show that a fitter, healthier workforce is |
| 10:10 campaign encourages individuals and | | | | generally more productive, both in terms of day to day |
| organisations to make a personal commitment to | | | | engagement, as well as cumulative sick days. |
| lowering their individual carbon emissions by 10% by | | | | An evidence review conducted for London Transport |
| the end of 2010, and offers a range of advice as to | | | | in 2007 found that an increase in physical activity of |
| how to achieve this. However, businesses thinking of | | | | just one hour a week per person (easily achieved by |
| making the 10:10 pledge may wonder whether the | | | | walking or cycling to work) leads to a measurable |
| decision has wider benefits beyond helping to combat | | | | reduction in absenteeism due to short term illness, |
| climate change. Reducing energy consumption saves | | | | supporting the idea that there is a clear benefit for |
| costs on fuel bills, but what other positive impacts can | | | | employers who invest in alternative workplace travel |
| it have, and how can the necessary reductions be | | | | plans. |
| achieved without impacting on the day to day running | | | | So how do you encourage staff to cycle to work, |
| of the business? | | | | especially in winter? Simple measures, such as |
| A simple method for lowering emissions for both | | | | providing suitable bike storage for cyclists can help, but |
| employers and their staff is to address the daily | | | | one of the primary objections to cycling to work is the |
| commute. Transportation by car or by plane accounts | | | | physical strain, especially in hilly areas, such as Bristol. |
| for a little over 12% of the total green house emissions | | | | With this in mind, many commuters are now turning to |
| produced each year; with much of this travel being | | | | electric bicycles- the additional power helps combat |
| work related, a simple switch to more sustainable | | | | the strain of all those inclines, at a much safer speed |
| modes of transport, such as using an electric bicycle, is | | | | than on a normal bike, without having to resort to |
| a simple way to lower your carbon footprint, as well | | | | pushing it up the hill. In a congested city such as Bristol |
| as gain wider reaching benefits for both employer and | | | | or London, electric bikes offer an exhaust free |
| staff. | | | | alternative to the daily commute, reducing overall |
| Employers committed to the 10:10 campaign will find | | | | pollution and improving air quality for everyone- if |
| their transport emissions greatly reduced if they can | | | | enough people can be encouraged to commute on |
| encourage some of their staff to commute to work | | | | their bicycles. Cycling to work allows the commuter to |
| using another form of transport instead of their car. | | | | nip through traffic, using the dedicated cycle and bus |
| Government cycling schemes actively encourage | | | | lanes, and can be much faster than alternatives, such |
| employers to promote sustainable commuting, by | | | | as public transport. Combine this with the additional |
| offering financial benefits to staff who choose to hop | | | | cost saving benefits accrued through reduced fuel, |
| on their bike, rather than drive to work. Members of | | | | insurance and maintenance costs associated with |
| Bristol's ‘cycling city' campaign can help their | | | | driving to work, and the idea of commuting on a bike |
| employees save up to 50% on new bicycles and | | | | becomes more widely appealing. |