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Cycling to work

There are a large number of great reasons to get back on your bike and join London's cycling revolution! Whether you want to improve your health and fitness, reduce your travel costs or make your journey quicker and less stressful, cycling can be the answer. Organisations should facilitate staff desire to cycle to work by offering parking, shower and changing facilities, training, bike maintenance, discounts and Cycle to Work Schemes, and taking part in national campaigns and staff bike events.

Cycle Challenge

In November 2010, SWELTRAC ran a cycle challenge for organisations in Teddington. This challenge can be replicated for other networks or individual businesses to promote and reward cycling amongst staff. The challenge was designed to be straightforward, with very little administration needed internally. Download the challenge outline here. An example mileage log sheet is available here, and a template poster can be downloaded here.

Dr Bike

Dr Bike services are MOT-type checks, which cover basic maintenance (including tyres, brakes, gears and general bike set up) and are intended to improve the condition of staff bikes. They offer the opportunity for staff to ensure that their bicycles are road-safe. Staff are encouraged to bring in a bike that has been left in the shed all winter, with the intention that it will be used more often for commuting in the future. Dr Bike sessions usually cost around £40 per hour, with each bike check lasting at least 15 minutes. If you are interested in arranging a session at your workplace, please contact Tony Congdon from Pedal Medic on tony@pedalmedic.com, or 07951 048 556. Tony is highly recommended by SWELTRAC and is guaranteed to provide an excellent service. For information on previous Dr Bike sessions run through Tony, please click here.

Take a Stand

Transport for London is offering up to 20 free Sheffield cycle stands to businesses with at least 50 employees. For more information and to apply, visit the TfL website.

June 2010 - Summary of Bike Week Events

SWELTRAC has again supported workplaces in the subregion with running Dr Bike sessions and Bike to Work events. The events were part of a national targeted campaign to promote cycling during 'Bike Week' which occurred from the 21st to 25th June. The events also provided an opportunity to raise awareness about the developed travel plans at certain organisations. Most events were registered on the Bike Week website.

Amongst merchandise and promotional materials, Dr Bike was the most popular service at each event. This is similar to a bike MOT whereby specialists can check bikes and advise on repairs that are required. It is a popular service with cyclists who appreciate not having to go to the store to have problems checked or need questions answered. We are proud to report 231 bicycles were checked at all events.

Tuesday 22nd - NPL Sports Ground

This was the second time such an event was held in Teddington for staff of member businesses of the Teddington Travel to Work Network following the success of Teddington Bike to Work events in June 2009. This year staff of all businesses attending the NPL event could register online and book a Dr Bike session in advance. Each person who registered online was entitled to a cycle gift pack containing a cycle repair kit, two slapwraps, cycle map and a postcard. More information is available in the Teddington Bike to Work Week Report.

I feel motivated and confident to cycle to work as often as I can now – NPL employee who normally drives but cycled to work on the Bike to Work Day.

Thursday 24th - Haymarket

Teddington Bike to Work Week arrived at Haymarket with two Dr Bikes from the Richmond Council, three police officers from the local Safer Neighbourhood Team and Electric Bike World. Staff of Haymarket, Pinewood Studios and other organisations based at Teddington Studios had a chance to have their bikes checked by Dr Bike, marked by the Police and try three electric bikes. More information is available in the Teddington Bike to Work Week Report.

Fantastic friendly service – a comment received from a male who cycles 3 times a week to Teddington Studios.

Friday 25th - St. George's Hospital

On a very sunny day just outside the huge hospital in Tooting our Dr Bike and his assistant were making pre-ride checks for staff of St. George's NHS Trust. A lot of staff were gathering around the Bike Week branded table where they could get advice on cycling routes, free TfL maps, repair kits and free NHS T-shirts.

Friday 25th - Richmond Adult Community College

The event took place from 11am to 3pm and two Richmond Council Dr Bike experts were on hand to provide MOT type bicycle inspections for staff and student bicycles. The Dr Bikes were kept very busy with many people signing up for the free service and the helpful advice that was on offer. A total of 43 bicycles were checked during the event! SWELTRAC's Kevin de Leeuw was also on hand to provide travel advice to participants as well as free merchandise including cycle computers, slap wraps, puncture repair kits and local area cycle maps. A number of people expressed interest in having cycle training which was great to see and a further Dr Bike clinic is planned for the RACC Clifden site.

I would like to say that the event was a big success. Both students and staff enjoyed and appreciated the bike checks and promotional materials. As the interest was much bigger than anticipated the two Dr Bikes were rushed off their feet, had to work hard and longer by over an hour than originally planned - Monika Quayle, PA to the Vice-Principals thought the event was a big success.