Learn the benefits of promoting walking and cycling at work and some fun activities you can run. For more details take a look at our website www.smartersmetravel.com

1. Promoting walking and cycling at work
Rachael Cherry
Workplace Project Officer
Sustrans

2. Active Travel – The stats
100.00%
90.00%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
2011 Census on how people commute
Drive Walk Cycle
With over 80% of Eastbourne’s working population
living within 5 kilometres of their workplace, there is
great potential to increase cycling trips within the town,
whether for work or leisure.

3. Making the case for active travel

4. Getting support from management
• There are many benefits to promoting walking and
cycling for the commute and business travel.
• Have a read of our booklet to help find the hook
you will need to get support from management.
• Active travel can help improve staff health and
wellbeing, reduce costs incurred from
absenteeism and reduced productivity and is also
a good way to show commitment to carbon
reduction and environmental targets.
• Knowing what matters to management and getting
their support will help you to have a good impact
on behaviour change.

5. David loses over 3 stone after cycling
and walking more
Shortly after slipping into the ‘obese’ category,
Sustrans’ Challenge helped David switch the car to
commute by bike 5 days a week and walk for shorter
trips too.
Using lots of local Sustrans’ Cycle paths, David has
been able to lose more than 3 stones over 9 months,
pass his first medical in years, and cycle over 170
miles in 1 day!
He’s now signed up to walk the three National Peaks
in 24 hours for charity and continues to cycle and
walk daily saving himself money in the process.
“I’ll miss using the Big Walk and Cycle Challenge
website, it was great to upload comments, photos
and post the journeys. For the first time in years I’ve
passed a health check, with normal weight, blood
pressure and cholesterol.”
David Lane, Principal Lecturer, Leeds
Metropolitan University

6. Things to think about before starting
• Review any existing policy's regarding staff health/wellbeing
or travel.
• How are people currently commuting?
• Are there any existing offers to make walking or cycling more
attractive i.e. cycle to work scheme.
• Is there any budget you could use to promote walking and
cycling?
• Are there any sources of external funding you could apply for?
• Who else walks and cycles and would they help you?
• What national events or promotions can you tie into to
maximise results? i.e. cycle to work day.
• Is there anything preventing people from walking or cycling
i.e. no lockers, showers or storage?

7. Sustainable travel events
March
Climate Week – spotlights the positive steps being taken already been taken to combat climate change in workplaces and communities across the UK. Find out more
at www.climateweek.com
May 2014
National Walking Month – Every May, Living Streets encourage people to take to their feet and feel the benefits of walking. Find out more at www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-with-us/national-walking-
month-2014
Work Wise Week – raising awareness about smarter working (flexible working, home working, remote working) amongst employees and employers. Find out more
at www.workwiseuk.org/workwiseweek/
Green Office Week - a fantastic opportunity to make a positive difference to the environment in practical ways, including transport, energy and waste. Find out more
at www.greenofficeweek.eu
Walk to Work Week – encouraging people to walk to work and to monitor the distance they are walking and the calories that they are burning. Find out more
at www.walktoworkweek.org.uk/
National Work from Home Day - promoting the benefits of home working to both individuals, businesses and the environment. Find out more at www.workwiseuk.org/workwiseweek/
June
5th - World Environment Day – a global day for positive, environmental action and to encourage support for sustainable development. Find out more at www.unep.org/wed/
Green Transport Week – the aim is to raise awareness of the impact travel has on the environment and to make people think about the way they travel on every journey. Find out more
at www.etatrust.org.uk/campaign/green-transport-week
Bike Week – promoting cycling and showing how cycling can easily be part of everyday life. Find out more at www.bikeweek.org.uk
National Ride to Work Day UK – raising awareness about the benefits of using motorcycles and scooters to commute to and from work on a regular basis. Find out more
at www.ridetowork.org.uk
September
European Mobility Week – this is a European festival promoting environmentally sensitive transport and raising awareness of the nuisances causes by the use of private cars in the city (Air,
noise pollution, congestion etc). Good opportunity to promote active travel and public transport usage. Find out more at www.mobilityweek.eu/
Car Free Day (In Town Without My Car) – annual event which sees thousands of cities across European take part and highlight the positive effects of car free travel ( health, safety and
environmental benefits). Find out more atwww.etatrust.org.uk/campaign/car-free-day/
October
6th – 10th – National Liftshare Week – encouraging people to join the liftshare network in order to save money cut their carbon footprint and meet like-minded people. Find out more
at www.liftshare.com/business
National Commute Smart Week – raising awareness of smarter working practices and how they can help to avoid the misery of commuting in the dark winter months. Find out more
at www.workwiseuk.org/commutesmartweek/
UK Road Safety Week – an annual community event aimed at inspiring people to promote road safety within their local community. Find out more at www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk

8. Promoting walking and cycling at
work