York Hospital staff swap four wheels for two
A group of York Hospital employees have pledged to try cycling to work after signing up to take part in an innovative Cycling City York project aimed at encouraging more people to commute by bike.
The ‘Try cycling to work’ project is the latest activity in Cycling City York’s busy programme of activities in the workplace. It involves 19 hospital staff loaning a bike and accessories, and receiving a package of cycling support, for a four-week period. During this time, they will be expected to commute to and from work by bike as often as possible.
The aim is to make it as easy as possible for participants to cycle to work so that they can experience the many benefits of commuting by bike for themselves, which include quicker and less stressful journeys; improved health, fitness and wellbeing; and saving money on car parking or bus fares. The package of support includes help with route planning; basic cycle training to boost people’s competence and confidence; free bike maintenance support; and email and telephone support throughout the trial.
Those taking part recently received their bikes and accessories at a handover day at the hospital. They completed questionnaires beforehand and will be asked to fill in another one after completing the project to gauge whether their behaviour and attitude to cycling has changed as a result of taking part. At the end of the project, all participants will have an option to buy their bikes and equipment at a discounted rate.
Graham Titchener, programme manager for Cycling City York, explained: “We run an ongoing programme of activities in the workplace aimed at encouraging more people to commute to and from work by bike. We’re delighted to have York Hospital on board; it’s great to see another of the city’s major employers supporting our efforts to raise awareness of the many benefits of commuting by bike. As well as benefiting the individual employee, more cycling means a healthier and happier workforce, which is also great news for the employer.
“What we’re really looking for is a genuine change in people’s attitudes towards cycling. Not having a bicycle or a lack of confidence are barriers that can deter people, so ensuring that all those taking part are fully prepared and properly equipped is key to the success of the project. We hope to see a large proportion taking up cycling on a more regular basis at the end of the project.”
The ‘Try Cycling to Work’ project is being run in conjunction with Cycle Experience, a company that works with organisations across the country to help get more people cycling, more safely, more often.
Cycling City York is also working with the York-based community interest company Get Cycling to run similar events for other major employers across the city, including more than 100 employees of City of York Council, businesses based at York Science Park and Aviva.
Posted: 01/10/2010
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