Free Bike Racks For Businesses/Organisations

Cheshire West and Chester council is offering free cycle parking stands for organisations in the area.  Community groups, small businesses, shops, offices, churches and voluntary sector groups can apply cycle stands free of charge. Up to four stands – that’s parking for eight bikes – are available per applicant, each holds two bikes neatly and securely.

The recipient is responsible for installing them, on their own premises, in a location agreed with the scheme organiser. Installing secure cycle parking will encourage staff and visitors to arrive by bike and shows that the organisation is doing its bit to reduce its carbon footprint.

Click here for further information and to download an application form.

Cycle Parking Guidance

Encouraging cycling includes meeting the need for cyclists to be able to park their bikes safely and securely when they arrive at their destinations.  Too often cycle parking is badly designed, poorly sited, or insecure.

Taking some simple planning steps when installing cycle parking can easily avoid these problems.  The Chester Cycling Campaign is pleased to be able to provide this clear, attractive and detailed Cycle Parking Guide which has been written by our colleagues in the Cambridge Cycling Campaign. Feel free to download a copy and make use of it when planning cycle parking on your site.

Click here to download the Cycle Parking Guide

Cyclist Business Mileage Expenses Advice

The new Cheshire West and Chester Council has set an example by being one of the first councils in the country to offer the same business mileage rates for cyclists and motorists, currently 40p per mile for councillors.  Such a policy removes the perverse incentives that can lead to staff using their cars when a bike might be the most suitable means of making a journey.

Offering derisory business mileage expenses rates for cyclists often leads to derisory rates of cycling for business purposes!

The Chester Cycling Campaign has prepared the following two resources to support those planning policies for reimbursing cyclists for business mileage expenses:

1)  A guidance paper on Business Mileage Business Expenses For Cyclists

2)  A Bike Costs Calculator for use in working out the full cost of running various types of cycles

Feel free to download and make use of these files when considering expenses reimbursement strategies for cyclists.

Free Window Stickers Available

Here’s how to show your support for the Cycle Demonstration Town project! Display one of our new adhesive-free window stickers in the window of your shop or business. The self-cling vinyl stickers will not mark the window, and are easily applied. The stickers are 160mm tall x 100mm wide.

To get your free sticker, just contact us by leaving a comment to this article, and arrangements will be made to post a sticker to you!

How to Create a Cycling Culture in Your Organisation

Cyclists can help to develop a cycling culture in any organisations with which they may be associated.  Employers often wish to associate themselves with measures which help to promote health and reduce carbon emissions, but may not know how to begin.  Here is Chester Cycling Campaign’s list of suggestions regading how to start creating a cycling culture where you work or play.

1. Every organisation can start off by providing simple Sheffield stands that are covered, secure and well lit.  Lockers and showers are important for long distant cyclists but less so for those commuting two/three miles.  Remember a folding bike can easily fit in the office.

2. Consider forming a bicycle user group (a BUG) which could affiliate to a cycling organisation and provide insurance for any group activity, such as a social ride, that may take place.

3. Sign up to the government’s ‘tax free bikes for work scheme’ which allows employees to purchase a bike at half price and pay the rest of the cost off in monthly instalments

4. Offer decent mileage rates for employees who need to travel on business (the average is about 20p/mile ranging up to 40p/mile.)

5. Try to get all departments to think bike.  Cheshire West and Chester council has a good planning guidance scheme for cycling parking that requires cycle parking in all new developments.   The council should ensure that this is enforced and other organisations ensure that provision for bikes is made in any new developments.

6. Encourage senior staff to take a lead and cycle to work.

7. Try to arrange meetings that are accessible by bike (remember bikes can be taken on trains)

8. Be a bit more relaxed about dress codes. OK not lycra but do suits always have to be worn to the office ?

9. Offer free high visibility tabards for those who want them.

10. Remember cycling is fun, makes your employees fit and healthy, and reduces your car parking bills.