Cambridge Travel for Work

Travel Plan

Cycling

Cambridgeshire is flat! Those who live and work around the City of Cambridge know that it can justifiably claim to be the cycling capital of England. The cycling infrastructure in the rest of Cambridgeshire is rapidly improving also.

So in promoting cycling to work we have topography and infrastructure on our side – compared to many parts of the country we are very lucky.

It is a rare Cambridgeshire travel plan indeed that does not include cycling!

Below are some Travel for Work ideas to facilitate and promote cycling to your workplace.

Bike Week/Bike2Work

Cycle purchase support

  • Cycle to Work tax free scheme can be run in-house or through administrators. For more information see Department for Transport publication dated 28 October 2009 (download only - no printed version available) Cycle to Work Scheme Implementation Guidance and  Cycle to Work Schemes at bikeforall.net (an excellent source of bike info on the net).  The HMRC tax implications and fair market value matrix is available on line http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM21667a.htm
  • The National Business Travel Network (NBTN) have released further information on Cycle to Work scheme 17 November 2010 "Cycle to Work Scheme back after agreement over bike tax benefit" see their website http://www.nbtn.org.uk/news/story/476
  • If you'd like to know which scheme suits your requirements locally check out our comparison of tax free scheme administrators.  Information was supplied and agreed by operators Dec 07.
  • If you are a full member of TfW, promote the TfW cycle shop discounts.  The full list of TfW members eligible for this discount can be found here.  This list will be used by cycle shops to validate discounts. Click link for more information on Halfords 10% off Gift Voucher.

Promoting Cycling

  • Register bikes to improve cycle security
    at http://www.immobilise.com. Any item
    with a serial number can be registered
    for FREE. If your employer is based in
    Cambridge City or South Cambs or East Cambridge ring 01223 715550 to arrange Immobilise registration days for staff at their workplace.   You may want to download an A4 Immobilise poster click here.  
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  • DfT's The Essential Guide to Travel Planning Section 10 Cycling page 40 click here for case studies etc.
  • Provide/improve showers and changing rooms.
  • Provide lockers and drying rooms.
  • Provide mileage rates for staff that cycle to meetings (see Tax Implications for details of what rates you can give).
  • Cambridge City Cycle map - if your company is based in or around Cambridge the cycle map is a must. It links the villages surrounding Cambridge to the City.  For copies of the cycle map please contact
    Elfaisal Elturki - Cambridge City Council
    email: elfaisal.elturki@cambridge.gov.uk
    Tel: +44 (01223) 457187 or view Cambridge City Council cycling web pages.
  • Wisbech Cycle Route map - if your company is based in or around Wisbech the cycle map is a must.  It links the villages surrounding Wisbech to the town.  For copies of the cycle map please contact Wisbech Tourist Information Centre 2-3 bridge Street, Wisbech PE13 1AF 01945 583263
  • Wisbech cycle route planner - find the quickest, quietest or balanced cycle route between home and work using the Wisbech CycleStreet journey planner (developed by Cambridge Cycling Campaign).
  • Cambridge City Cycle Route Planner - find the quickest, quietest, shortest cycle route between home and work using the Cambridge Cycling Campaign website journey planner.
  • Keeping your bike -
    Its a good idea to register your bike for free at www.immobilise.com. This is recommended by the police. You can also register other personal items of value. Doing this should help you retrieve your stuff if it is stolen. If you would like posters/flyers and stickers phone Parkside Police Station on 0845 456 456 4 and ask for the Community Safety Unit.
    Also check your home insurance and consider extending it if necessary.
  • Adult Cycle Training - Providing or supporting Adult Cycle Training for your staff is a wonderful way of giving your employees the confidence to consider cycling to work. Potential trainees can register with a local provider:

Outspoken  http://www.outspokentraining.co.uk/ or;

Ridingabike http://www.ridingabike.co.uk/html/bespoke_courses_0.html

or check out the DfT website for local freelance trainers see http://www.dft.gov.uk/bikeability/the-three-levels/cycling-skills-for-adults/ Go to our Discounts page for Adult Cycle Training discounts available through Outspoken and Ridingabike.

  • Organise a Dr Bike session to fix minor bicycle repairs and maintenance issues at your site.  Go to our Discounts page for Dr Bike discounts available through Outspoken and Ridingabike.
  • Report a problem online include potholes, trees issues, signal faults, damaged signs, and bridge damage. Rights of way issues can be reported too, such as a damaged stile or an overgrown path. http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/roads/reportingafault.htm  contacts the right people for you, to get the roads repaired quickly and easily.
  • HM Revenue & Customs' website explains benefits to employers: tax exemption for bicycles and cyclists' meals or refreshments - please click EIM21664.

Cycles on business

  • Provide a selection of company bicycles for staff to use on business.  See TfL's practical guide to setting up a workplace bike pool - Pool Bikes for Business.

Fitness Benefits

We all know that:

  • We are becoming increasing sedentary.
  • We should be taking more exercise
  • Cycling is a great way to fit exercise into busy working and family lives.

Company Benefits

Promoting cycling will benefit your company because it will:

  • Reduce sickness levels
  • Increase staff productivity
  • Reduce time spent complaining about the drive into work!
  • Cycling can be the quickest form of transport – your staff will arrive on time!
  • A very useful Tax and Travel Plans guide has been produced by Prof. Stephen Potter at the Open University. This explains benefits to employers: tax exemption for bicycles and cyclists' meals or refreshments etc. Click to download a copy.