Promoting Cycling

Thanks Tim. Responded.

Team building track or polo days?

A masseuse for a nice rub down after these cold mornings?

Special deal on Brommies with worn clip-in pedals?

Track day is one of the proposals, one with which our Manchester office might help. A masseuse might not survive the politically correct environment in which we operate.

Oliver

I made strong points about the beneficial aspects of cycling - fitter healthier employees less prone to tube and bus carried lurgies and the consequential decline in absenteeism. A comment was then made about my arse and my resulting absence from the office.

offering some kind of prize/discount/etc. for actually cycling to work.

that'd get the ball rolling.

I like the idea of a discount:

Cycle to work and we'll discount your salary.

That could be a winner.

Randomly plant a car bomb in one member of staff's car per week.

Oliver

I made strong points about the beneficial aspects of cycling - fitter healthier employees less prone to tube and bus carried lurgies and the consequential decline in absenteeism. A comment was then made about my arse and my resulting arsence from the office.

People are cruel. They weren't pus-sy-footing around the issue, were they?

Last thing you want is to fall arse-over-tits about it.

Nice thread Clive and some excellent ideas from many.

Where are you based? Some boroughs (via TfL) fund businesses to develop a cycling action plan which can include a 'safety' presentation to staff/managers linked to promoting a training scheme for anyone who wishes to but is wary of cycling. I'd be happy to come and talk to you/your HR dept and explore how our company (CTUK) can help.

"Why don't you cycle and what might change your mind?"

I've done plenty of 'i'd like to cycle but...' sessions, generally not much use unless there's a specific tacklable local issue that you probably are aware of but just want to draw out of the target audience.

Typically barrier 1 is roads are dangerous, barrier 2 is bad weather. We know and can tell folks the answers to both, however like horses to water you can't make them drink.

Is there owt you can do to get folks out riding with their kids? After work office family ride or something? Pester power from young un's to do more cycling might help.

Nice thread Clive and some excellent ideas from many.

Where are you based? Some boroughs (via TfL) fund businesses to develop a cycling action plan which can include a 'safety' presentation to staff/managers linked to promoting a training scheme for anyone who wishes to but is wary of cycling. I'd be happy to come and talk to you/your HR dept and explore how our company (CTUK) can help.

City.

I think it would be good to have a chat/drink/cup of green tea with you and Will sometime soon. I am off to Ghent this weekend but let's look to one evening soon at LMNH when my work/training schedule permits.

I've done plenty of 'i'd like to cycle but...' sessions, generally not much use unless there's a specific tacklable local issue that you probably are aware of but just want to draw out of the target audience.

Typically barrier 1 is roads are dangerous, barrier 2 is bad weather. We know and can tell folks the answers to both, however like horses to water you can't make them drink.

Is there owt you can do to get folks out riding with their kids? After work office family ride or something? Pester power from young un's to do more cycling might help.

People generally have long - or longish commutes, particularly those with kids. Organised Bozza bike rides at lunch times or early evening in the summer followed by drinks might be an idea.

When I was marshalling the sky ride (the guided ride from a certain borough to the main events itself), it's definitely the best way to help people realise that it doesn't take that long to get to the events, and with careful planning, shouldn't even break a sweat for those who hasn't ridden for quite a while.

The best part is that they brought their kids with them, and seeing them completing a 20 miles roundtrip does wonder to their abilities, talking to the other marshall/cycling instructor helped strengthen their confident in using a bike as a regular transport.

I now know 5 blokes and 2 women who cycle to work now, and their commute is a 5 miles (average) one.

Great work Clive.

people think

1. cycling is hard. In britain it's a sporting activity, and a fringe one at that, not something everyone does every day.
   
2. cycling is dangerous. Well we know the stats, but traffic is scary if you're not used to riding in it. (yes, Oliver, all traffic)
   
3. cycling requires special clothes. Lycra, hi-viz, helmets. Tied in with perceptions 1 and 2.
   
   

Overcome these perceptions.
1 is not helped by most people's bikes being shit heavy 'mountain' bikes from Halfords. Company Bromptons will help this.
2 requires wide cycle lanes. that's not going to happen, so free training I guess.
3 just needs trouser clips. You can get free trouser clips (and other tat) off the City Police. We had them in the office with their pamphlets, freebies etc. which should put paid to the special clothes idea.

BQ - what about the leg shaving? That put's some people off but might encourage others.

I think there's also something detrimental about trying to turn people into "cyclists", thanks to all the usual clichés. I'd try and focus on turning people into "people who happen to cycle to work", which is much less burdened-down with Daily Mail/Clarksonist baggage.

but don't we want "them" to join "us"?

Conversion Evolution:

(1) Motorist -> (2) public transport -> (3) pedestrian -> (4) nodder -> (5) cyclist

One can skip from points 1, 2 or 3 to point 4 but point 4 is a necessary precursor to being a fully formed human being unless you are a cradle cyclist.

City.

I think it would be good to have a chat/drink/cup of green tea with you and Will sometime soon. I am off to Ghent this weekend but let's look to one evening soon at LMNH when my work/training schedule permits.

City is good clive.
They will fund Dr bikes (Servicing), business cycle safety seminars and training. So yes let's meet just say when

this is all great for your business Clive- well done again,
on the bigger picture, have you seen the news today r.e train fares?
this shower of shit government are as dedicated to keeping people in the cars as ever before- it makes it harder than ever for ordinary people to change.
My work post is paid for indirectly by the government through the P.C.T,
Im not pissing into the wind any longer, fuck this government handing my notice in today, Im going back to cycle training and freelance work- bring it on.

Train fare increases + increases in VAT and fuel duty = more reasons to jump on a bike.

Riding a bike becomes a means of frustrating the government.