Active travel information for employers

Encouraging staff to undertake active travel can have numerous positive benefits for your organisation and for your employees.

Employer benefits: 

• fitter, healthier and more productive workforce 
• lower health care costs 
• reduce pressure on car parking 
• reduction in your carbon footprint 
• contribute towards your company's corporate social responsibility 
• contribute to Swansea's air quality standards 

Employee benefits: 

• reduced living costs - by foot or by bike, either way it works out much cheaper than running a car 
• save time on journeys - no more traffic jams! 
• improved mental and physical wellbeing 
• help reduce traffic pollution and keeps streets quieter where you live 
• enjoy seeing more of your area and meeting new people  

Why promote cycling?

Staff who cycle to work are likely to be healthier and more productive which increases efficiency and reduces absenteeism. If parking is limited, cycling can offer a space saving solution, with 10 bikes fitting into one car park space. To help promote cycling in the workplace you could: 

• provide secured, covered cycle parking for visitors and staff
• provide lockers, changing facilities and showers for use by staff who cycle
• introduce a 'cycle to work' scheme providing discounts for staff (see below) or liaise with local bicycle shops on any discounts or special offers
• for beginners offer cycle training and cycle maintenance courses
• provide cycle repair equipment such as pumps, puncture repair kits and other tools on site

Cycle hubs Cycle hubs

Why promote walking? 

Walking is an excellent way to keep fit and is well suited for journeys under two miles. Staff feel the benefit from saving money and it can also boost confidence, meaning that they have more energy and feel more relaxed. Healthier staff are also more productive and have less time off sick. To help promote walking in the workplace you could: 

• provide information on safe walking routes and walking maps/guides
• organise lunchtime walks or other health walks
• map out walking routes near to site that staff can do in their lunch or break times
• hold walking meetings or mobile meetings to take a meeting outdoors
• link with health promotion activities

Swansea Bay Healthy Travel Charter

Many large employers in the Swansea area, including us, have signed up to the 'Swansea Bay Healthy Travel Charter' which contains a series of actions that demonstrate their commitment to supporting walking, cycling, public transport, and ultra-low emission vehicle use.

By working together, the organisations aim to increase the proportion of journeys made to and from workplaces which are sustainable.

Swansea Bay Healthy Travel Charter (Healthy Travel Wales) (opens new window)

Cycle to work scheme

Cycle to work is a government initiative to encourage cycling as a way of getting to work. All public, private and third sector employers can run a cycle to work scheme and all employees can hire cycles and safety equipment through the scheme.  

The employees choose the bike and accessories, and you recoup the bike cost though employee salary sacrifice (a monthly deduction from gross salary for the duration of the hire period). The employee spreads the costs and makes savings on their tax contributions. As an employer, you make a saving through National Insurance contributions.

There are several cycle to work schemes available from different providers to best suit your organisation.