Key Transport Consultants are gearing up to take part in Cycle to Work Day 2014, organised by Cyclescheme, with the aim of encouraging everyone in the office to cycle to work on Thursday September 4th 2014.
Last year’s event saw tens of thousands of cyclists from across the country taking part, resulting in some pretty impressive statistics. Participants pledged to cycle over a quarter of a million miles, resulting in nearly 7,000kg of CO2 being offset and over 12 million calories burnt – a spectacular result!
Despite being a small business KTC offers its employees many benefits to help them to choose sustainable travel modes including a salary sacrifice cycle purchase scheme, access to secure covered cycle parking facilities and offering flexible working hours which allows cyclists to travel outside of the rush hours.
One of our regular cycle commuters, Matt says;
“It is great that KTC are taking part in Cycle to Work Day 2014, and hopefully it will encourage more of my colleagues to jump on two-wheels more often. Working in Transport Consultancy I believe that it is important that we adopt the sustainable travel principles that we prescribe in our reports and Travel Plans, and events such as Cycle to Work Day is a great way to encourage less confident cyclists onto their bikes, particularly if they are rewarded with a free breakfast”.
The benefits of cycling to work are plain to see:
[Source: Cyclesheme survey 2013]
This year, Cycle to Work Day is set to be even bigger and better than ever which is why KTC are on board and doing our bit for the campaign by offering our employees a free ‘Big Bike Breakfast’ for those that cycle into work on the day and access to a Doctor Bike session where a cycle mechanic will inspect, adjust, tighten, inflate and lubricate our bikes ready for the ride home.
Britain’s Biggest Bike Breakfast is not just about rewarding those that cycle into work, there is also a benefit to not starting the day on an empty stomach, as British Cycling’s Coaching and Education Manager, Vinny Webb, explains:
“A post-ride bite to eat, such as a bowl of porridge, is an important way to start the day and helps your body to refuel. That re-energised feeling you’ll get from cycling to work will help you to feel set for a day at work, not least because you’ll then be looking forward to a ride home that evening. People who ride to work make better employees, because they statistically take fewer days off sick per year – even more reason to encourage cycling.”
Although a bacon sarnie is likely to replace the bowl of porridge in the KTC Office, and some of the team will certainly not be looking forward to tackling some of Bristol (and North Somerset’s) hill, we hope that everyone who cycles will see the benefits.
For more information on how to get involved with Cycle to Work Day, please visit www.cycletoworkday.org
About Cycle to Work Day:
Supported by British Cycling, Sustrans, Bicycle Association, Business in the Community and championed by Dame Sarah Storey, Cycle to Work Day aims to highlight the benefits of cycling as a means of transport and encourage more people to cycle, more often.
Cyclescheme’s long-term aim is to get 1-million people commuting to work by bike by the next census in 2021 (current cycling figures sit at 760,000 as of 2011).
Highlights from Cycle to Work Day 2013