5 tips to encourage your workplace to be bike friendly
Some of us are lucky with our workplaces provide adequate facilities to store our bikes while we get on with the work day. If you’re really lucky you’ve got access to showers and lockers too.
But what if you workplace doesn’t cater for bicycles and cyclist commuters?
Often the question of bicycle facilities has just never come up and so nobody has really thought about providing them. With a little bit of coaxing and solid reasoning on your part, a bicycle friendly workplace could be just around the corner.
Here’s five tips I’ve put together that you can take to your boss or HR department when trying to encourage a bicycle friendly workplace.
1. Fitter and healthier employees means less sick days
A good opener is one that affects the bottom line of a business. Cyclist commuters generally tend to be a healthy bunch and the fact of the matter is healthier people by definition get sick less often.
Every time somebody takes a sick day, that’s a days pay the company doesn’t get back for zero productivity.
By cycling to work you’re actively keeping your body in check and thus reducing the probability of you falling sick. Not to mention the long term health benefits which will also save the company money if you’re there for the long term.
2. Promoting green energy
A lot of people are environmentally conscious these days and emissions trading and the Kyoto protocol are constantly popping up in the news. If the company you work for relies on a solid public image then showing that they are green energy friendly is definitely a plus.
3. Happier employees
I can’t speak for everyone but personally I know that if I miss out on my commute rides I massively feel like something’s missing from my day. I tend to be a bit grumpier and feel as if I haven’t quite woken up.
The limited experience I’ve had with other cyclists at the various places I’ve work leads me to believe that cycling, like exercise leaves people generally feeling better about themselves. Similarly to how people feel great after hitting the gym first thing in the morning cycling has the same effect.
Happier employees = happier company.
4. Bicycle parking takes up much less then car parking
One concern that might be raised when attempting to get bicycle facilities into your workplace is the cost of doing so. If this is the case it’s important to not ask for too much too soon. Walking into your bosses office and demanding a giant caged undercover enclosure with swipe access and an adjoining shower, sauna and swimming pool is a surefire way to make sure your work stays bicycle unfriendly for good.
Bicycle racks can be fitted for just a few grand and require zero maintenance. For most commuters an undercover area to secure their bicycle is enough. Showers and lockers are nice but a good secure rack is the foundation of a bike friendly workplace so start there.
5. Bike-friendly is attractive to potential employees
If your business is headhunting you never know just who might be an active cyclist commuter. When attracting new employees being able to offer cycling facilities is another plus that can be added to a list of benefits and facilities your workplace provides it’s employees.
Even if the potential recruit doesn’t cycle, the more benefits offered shows that the company provides for employees beyond just offering a place to earn a living.
Sometimes all it takes is one person to get that ball rolling. Good luck!
Leave a Reply...