Get your workplace
cycling
‘How to’ guide and templates
Bike Wise
Bike Wise is New Zealand’s national cycling programme, promoting cycling as an enjoyable, fun, healthy
and safe transport mode.
Bike Wise Month takes place in February each year and involves a festival of fun cycling events such as
Big Bike Tune Ups and Go By Bike Day. Beyond these events, there are other school, community and
cycling related activities throughout the year.
Bike Wise is the sole national programme of cycling events and is funded by the NZ Transport Agency
(the Transport Agency). Bike Wise Month and its related events are coordinated annually by the
Transport Agency through a strong and dedicated network of regional and local coordinators from
councils, regional sports trusts, cycling advocates, district health boards, businesses, schools, NZ Police
and volunteers.
The Bike Wise Reference Group
Bike Wise is supported by the Bike Wise Reference Group, which shares a commitment to promoting and
encouraging cycling throughout New Zealand for enjoyment and transport. The Bike Wise Reference
Group is chaired by the NZ Transport Agency and consists of representatives from the Ministry of
Health, Ministry of Transport, Sport New Zealand, New Zealand Police, the Cycling Advocates Network,
ACC, BikeOn and BikeNZ. The group meets four times a year to offer guidance on steering Bike Wise’s
future direction and to foster better collaboration and coordination amongst partners and networks.
These Resources
These resources are provided by Bike Wise to help you encourage employees, co-workers and colleagues
to use their bicycles more often. By commuting to work, many benefits can accrue, including happier,
healthier and more productive individuals.
The resources include:
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Benefits of and tips for cycling.
A step-by-step approach to planning your workplace cycling related activities.
Suggestions for how to engage staff and support a cycling culture in your workplace.
Case studies from New Zealand workplaces.
Handy editable templates, such as a facilities checklist, staff survey, workplace cycle plan and a
poster/flyer/certificate.
This resource is intended for education and informational purposes only. Users must consider their
specific circumstances and meet any legal and regulatory requirements (including those relating to
health and safety). The NZ Transport Agency does not accept responsibility for any loss or injury that
arises from the use of or reliance upon any information contained in this resource.
Contents
Get your workplace cycling ........................................................................................... 2
Safe cycling in your workplace .......................................................................... 2
The benefits of cycling .................................................................................................. 1
Tips for cycling ................................................................................................. 1
Create a workplace cycle plan ....................................................................................... 3
Step one:
A stock take of where you are now ................................................. 3
Step two:
Identify what the workplace wants to achieve ................................. 3
Step three: Develop the action plan ................................................................. 4
Step four: Evaluate your workplace cycling programme ................................... 5
Engaging staff.............................................................................................................. 6
Bike Wise free stuff! .......................................................................................... 6
Staff survey ...................................................................................................... 6
Bike Tune Up .................................................................................................... 6
‘Get back on your bike’ cycle skills refresher ..................................................... 6
Make it local ..................................................................................................... 6
How far will you cycle? In-house cycle challenge ................................................ 6
Go By Bike Day event ........................................................................................ 7
Pool bicycles ..................................................................................................... 7
In-house competitions and awards .................................................................... 7
Incentive schemes ............................................................................................ 7
Nominate your workplace ................................................................................. 7
Case studies ................................................................................................................ 2
Catalyst IT: enabling a burgeoning bike culture worldwide ................................ 2
South Canterbury District Health Board leads by example .................................. 3
Loan a bike repair kit from Unitec library .......................................................... 4
Fresh towels at Jacobs Engineering Group ......................................................... 4
Cycling for sustainable business ....................................................................... 5
Bay of Plenty Regional Council pedals towards a lower carbon footprint ............. 5
Go By Bike Day: Jade Software Corporation leads the way .................................. 5
Handy resources .......................................................................................................... 6
Facilities checklist ............................................................................................. 7
Staff survey - example ...................................................................................... 6
How far will you cycle? Journey logging sheet .................................................. 13
Poster, flyer and certificate template ............................................................... 18
Get your workplace cycling
This guide is targeted at workplaces where employers and/or employees want to put a workplace cycling
programme in place.
The events and promotions in the guide are designed to encourage people to overcome barriers to
participation in cycling, to regularly cycle as a form of transport, and to reward those who cycle. The
event and promotion ideas aim to make cycling fun in the workplace and can be spread over any period,
whether it is a week, fortnight, month or longer. Ideally, these activities will tie in with in-house
‘wellness’ programmes and could kick off a longer-term cycling programme in your workplace.
Encouraging staff to regularly cycle to work, take lunchtime cycle breaks or meet business contacts for a
bike ride, benefits the individual and the workplace.
The physical and mental health benefits from regular cycling are well documented. For example, an
Australian trial showed that employees who exercised regularly were more productive, felt more alert
and were less stressed in their jobs. A Copenhagen study of over 30,000 people found that businesses
benefited from encouraging staff to cycle to and from work, as cycling commuters took fewer sick days
than their non-cycling counterparts.
There are also social benefits for the workplace. Staff who cycle together can build teams and
strengthen relationships, which in turn increases the happiness, functionality and general wellbeing of
the workplace.
Safe cycling in your workplace
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Ensure everyone’s bikes are roadworthy
Ensure that everyone has a helmet
Help staff choose safe routes for their commute
Ensure less confident cyclists have an opportunity to brush up on cycling skills before they go
cycling
Ensure staff who cycle during rainy and low-light conditions have high-vis gear, reflectors and lights.
FREE Bike Wise resources for
workplaces:
• Sign up for a FREE Bike Wise goodies
kit (stocks are limited)
Where to go for more info:
• Bike skills training
• Local bike routes
• Map my ride
• SPARC Cycle Friendly Employer Guide
• Let’s Go travel planning
• Auckland Transport Workplace Travel Planning
• Sustrans – Cycling For Women
• Cycle Advocates Network (CAN) website
• Greater Wellington – get your workplace moving
• Greater Wellington journey planner
2
The benefits of cycling
The benefits listed here may be handy for your in-house promotions. Treat them as a ‘pick and mix’.
Saving you money and time
 Cycling to work is a great way to make exercise part of your daily routine.
 Cycling to work means no need to pay for parking, petrol or your gym membership.
 You can usually park your bike right outside your office, saving you time.
 If you work in the city, odds are that travelling by bicycle will get you to your destination at least as
fast as a car.
Pedal your way to better health
 Cycling 30 minutes each day can be all the exercise you need to halve your chances of becoming
obese or diabetic, according to the World Health Organisation. You don’t have to do the 30 minutes
all at once – bike for 15 minutes to work in the morning and 15 minutes home in the evening.
 Only half of all adults (50.5%) meet the definition of being regularly physically active (Ministry of
Health 2006/2007). Just 30 minutes of cycling each day will meet the average adult’s recommended
daily exercise requirement.
 According to research from the University of North Carolina, people who cycle for 30 minutes, five
days a week, have stronger immune systems and take half as many sick days as those who don’t
exercise.
 Cycling tones your leg and butt muscles, while also calling on the muscles in your back, arms and
neck, and the postural muscles in the lower and mid abdomen.
 Cycling is an ideal form of low-impact exercise that keeps bones healthy while being easy on the
joints.
Power up your mood and brain with a bike ride
 Cranking through the kilometres will lift your spirits and productivity! Those who exercise regularly
are more likely to be happier, less stressed, and more motivated, focused and satisfied than those
who don’t exercise, according to a study undertaken at Vrije University in Amsterdam (Preventive
Medicine, 2007).
 Exercise releases natural, ‘feel-good’ endorphins, which make you feel happy and help counter
stress (UK Mental Health Foundation).
 Research shows that aerobic activity, such as cycling, grows new brain cells (neurons) in the
hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for memory) and improves problem solving abilities
(University of California, 2001).
Tips for cycling
Cycling to work is easier than you think
Don’t worry about getting the perfect bike – if it’s in safe working order (check out the Bike Wise Big
Bike Tune Up self help guide) then you’re ready to start enjoying a daily commute and reaping the
benefits of cycling.
Here are some handy tips for cycle commuting:
1
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Take your spare work clothes and food to work on the days you can carry more stuff.
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Leave as much gear at work as possible.
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Pannier bags and racks are a handy alternative to a backpack for transporting your gear.
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Dress in layers.
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Invest in one good high-visibility outer layer of clothing that can go over your cycling or work
clothes.
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If you cycle a significant distance, a small investment in cycling shorts and gloves can have a huge
impact on your comfort.
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If your feet freeze in winter, wear two thin pairs of socks and add a bread bag between the layers.
These little beauties are cheap and replaceable and will ensure your toes stay toasty and dry for your
journey.
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If you wear work clothes while you cycle, fitting mud guards and a chain guard will keep your kit
clean.
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Take a basic repair kit with spare tube, pump and tyre levers.

In low light and rainy conditions, you will need:

o
a red or yellow rear reflector visible from 100 metres
o
steady or flashing rear-facing red lights that can be seen from 100 metres and a white or
yellow headlight that can be seen from 100 metres. If you have more than one headlight,
only one of them may flash. Remember to check batteries and add some spares to your
repair kit.
o
pedal retroreflectors on the forward and rear-ward facing surfaces of each pedal. If the cycle
does not have these the cyclist must be wearing High-visibility reflective cycling gear, such as
a reflective jacket, bag cover and ankle bands.
In Europe, where cycling is often the main form of transport, there is a saying that there is no such
thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!
2
Create a workplace cycle plan
A workplace cycle plan is a tool for managing the way cycling is promoted and undertaken in your
workplace.
The four-step process outlined below will help you create a plan and includes an assessment of what has
been done, what needs to be done, how it will be done and how it will be evaluated.
Step one:
A stock take of where you are now
1. What has contributed to the workplace deciding to create a cycle plan?
(A few paragraphs that describe why the workplace is creating the cycle plan, such as organisational
drivers and philosophies, barriers to be overcome, engagement opportunities and so on.)
2. What has been done in the past, or is currently done?
(No point in reinventing the wheel! List what has already been tried and tested in your workplace.)
3. What cycling facilities are currently in place?
(Use the facilities checklist in this resource.)
4. What are the current opinions of staff regarding cycling at this workplace?
(Use the editable staff survey template in this resource.)
Step two:
Identify what the workplace wants to achieve
This section could include specific objectives about what your workplace wants to achieve, for example
what improvements are needed in ‘trip-end’ facilities for cyclists. (Remember, SMART objectives are
specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.)
Examples of objectives
Objective
Target
1
Understand what staff do and think at the beginning
of the cycling programme
75% of staff submit survey by mid-February 20XX
2
Create action plan based on overcoming barriers to
staff cycling
Identify actions to overcome all barriers that are under the
control of the organisation, assign who will do each action
and when. Complete by 30 April 20XX
3
Engage staff in fun cycling activities
50% of male and female staff participate in x, y and z
activities during February and March.
4
Understand what staff do and think after workplace
cycling programme is complete
75% of staff submits survey within four weeks of completion
of the programme.
3
Step three: Develop the action plan
The action plan could include:

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
A list of actions that will achieve the workplace’s objectives
A timeline for the actions
A list of who will do what
Resources required to implement the plan and where they will come from.
Objectives
Background
Targets
Actions
Who
Timeframe
Resources
1. Understand
what staff
already do and
think
Provides a
baseline for our
organisation’s
future actions
and evaluation
75% of staff
submit survey by
mid-February
20XX
Survey staff and
find out what
cycling they
currently do and
Identify barriers to
staff cycling
Reward responses
with entry into
prize draw
Bob
Early February
20XX
Staff time
2. Create action
plan based on
overcoming
barriers to staff
cycling
Our organisation
is committed to
helping staff stay
active and
healthy and so
we will consider
options to
overcome
barriers
Identify actions
to overcome all
barriers that are
under the
control of the
organisation,
assign who will
do each action
and when.
Complete by 30
April 20XX
Develop action plan
with clear
timeframes and
resources
Linda and
Warwick
3. Engage staff
in fun cycling
activities
Staff want a fun
and supportive
workplace
environment for
cycling
50% of male and
female staff
participate in x,
y and z activities
during February
and March.
Run in-house
cycling
programmes and
events
Elsie and
Flo
Provides
evaluation on
any changes that
occurred
75% of staff
submits survey
within four
weeks of
completion of
the programme.
Re-survey staff
4. Understand
what staff do
and think after
workplace
cycling
programme is
complete
4.5 hours
$50 prize for
survey
participants
April 20XX
Staff time
15 hours
February and
March 20XX
Staff time
20 hours
$1500 for
giveaways
Bob
April 20XX
Staff time
4.5 hours
$50 prize for
survey
participants
4
Step four: Evaluate your workplace cycling programme
Evaluation can be undertaken whenever it suits your workplace. Some suggestions are made below for
elements to evaluate and differing timeframes for each.
Annual review of the objectives

Did you achieve the targets that you set?

Are the targets still relevant?

Are the objectives still relevant? You may need to review your objectives in the context of a
workplace wellness programme and any relevant organisational statements or philosophies.
Staff attitudes perceptions and behaviours – pre- and post-programme implementation

Survey staff at least two weeks before launching your workplace’s cycling related programme, so
that you establish a baseline of opinions and behaviours.

To establish if attitudes and behaviours have changed, re-survey staff within four weeks of
completing your in-house programme, while the programme is still fresh in people’s minds.
Annual review the action plan

What has been done? Include a statement of how it went and any modifications recommended for
the future.
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What has not been done? If an action was not completed, record why and any recommendations for
the future.
5
Engaging staff
Keep it simple and make cycling fun and easy in your workplace. Pick and choose from the suggestions
below depending on what will work for you and your workplace.
Bike Wise free stuff!
Make sure you register your workplace events on the Bike Wise website and you’ll receive a goodies box
packed with cycle safety-focused giveaways that are guaranteed to be hot property around the
workplace – stocks are limited!
Staff survey
Check out what people in your organisation think about workplace travel, including cycling, before and
after your in-house promotions. Use the editable staff survey template in this resource as a guide.
Bike Tune Up
A major barrier to getting people cycling is that their bikes don’t work properly. This can be frustrating
and unsafe, so kick off your in-house cycling promotions with bicycle and helmet safety checks. You can
use the self-help guide in the resources section, or if you have the budget, get a bike mechanic to
undertake bicycle safety checks and some basic repairs.
Run a Big Bike Tune up just for the women. For some reason, many women missed the ‘how to change
a flat bike tyre’ lesson, and so, out of fear of getting a flat tyre, they do not cycle. Offer a brief ‘Fix-aFlatty’ session at lunchtime or after work, where one of the women in your workplace teaches the others
how to fix a puncture, and make basic bike adjustments and repairs.
‘Get back on your bike’ cycle skills refresher
A barrier to people getting back on their bicycles is a lack of, or rusty, cycling skills, so provide some
cycle skills training for the team.
BikeNZ and the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) provide qualified cycle instructors in New Zealand.
Make it local
Many councils have created safe cycle route resources and these are helpful for identifying safe routes in
your area. Print off maps and, where available, get hand-outs of the safe cycling routes before you
launch any in-house events. Find your local council contacts here.
How far will you cycle? In-house cycle challenge
Sustaining any behaviour change relies on regular reinforcement of the new behaviour over a number of
weeks. Have staff log their rides to and from work over a fixed period, such as a month. Provide a prize
draw for all staff who submit their logging sheets at the end of the period.
You could make it competitive, but it need not be. The essence is to encourage those who would not
otherwise cycle to get on their bikes, rather than rewarding die-hard cyclists for many kilometres cycled.
6
Keep the criteria simple, such as ‘each ride logged needs to be longer than 2km’, or ‘ten minutes in
duration’. Eligibility could also be determined by an average number of rides completed; for example
participants need to have cycled to or from work at least three times each week on average.
Use the simple ride logging sheet and certificate template in this guide.
Go By Bike Day event
Many towns and cities run a Go By Bike Day event every February during Bike Wise Month. In 2016,
national Go By Bike Day is on Wednesday 10 February - check out the Bike Wise event calendar to see if
there is an event near you.
If there is no local event, you could run your own in-house Go By Bike Day breakfast or morning tea,
which rewards everyone who cycles to work. Encourage people to sign up for the in-house workplace
challenge, hand out Bike Wise goodie packs to everyone who signs up and promote any other planned
in-house or local cycling-related events.
Pool bicycles
Pool bikes are a great way for a workplace to demonstrate support for cycling, especially if the bikes are
kept out the front of the building (or in the foyer). Pool bicycles are generally purchased by the
employer and are made available for work related travel.
In-house competitions and awards
Keep it fun by running a few competitions, which you could tie in with the in-house cycle challenge.
Here are a few light-hearted competition ideas to get you started:
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
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Different departments or professions can compete against each other, such as planners versus the
engineers
Most outrageous cycle shirt
Oldest bicycle ridden to work (it must still be roadworthy).
We would love to hear about the competitions that go well in your workplace, so please email us at
[email protected].
Incentive schemes
Here are a few incentive ideas that could help get your workplace cycling:
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

Interest-free loans or subsidies for staff to purchase bikes
Discount vouchers for bike gear – e.g. for every day an employee commutes by bike, they receive $1
towards a voucher for bike gear
A free breakfast on the first Wednesday of every month for all those who commute by bike.
Nominate your workplace
Once your workplace cycling programme is up and running, put in a nomination for the Cycle Friendly
Awards run by CAN (Cycling Advocates Network), which include a cycle friendly employer award.
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Case studies
Catalyst IT: enabling a burgeoning bike culture worldwide
New Zealand owned and operated IT company Catalyst has various initiatives in place to keep its
workers happy and healthy, including a supportive environment for those who choose to ride their
bikes. Reports have confirmed that Catalyst’s bike sheds are over-flowing - and that’s thanks to the
many perks of cycling to work.
Founded in 1997, Catalyst has expanded from its Wellington headquarters to include offices in
Christchurch, Auckland, Australia and the UK. All locations have a burgeoning bike culture and
management is keen to continue supporting staff demand for bike facilities.
“We aim to promote what’s already available in terms of bike infrastructure, and if there are any
suggestions from staff, we are certainly keen to explore them,” said Jason Ryan, Strategy and Relations
Manager at Catalyst. “Making plans for the future is an integral part of our business.”
Paul Waite, a founding director of Catalyst, is himself an enthusiastic cyclist and initiated a series of
team entries into cycling events throughout the country. Catalyst funds the entry fees and also provides
branded kit for any member of staff who wants it. The company had a number of representatives
participating in the 2013 Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge and many will be back for more at the end of this
year.
At the Wellington office, Catalyst staff make the most of the bike
racks and showers which are made available to anyone who
commutes by bike. Possibly the most devoted commuter, Tibor Incze,
cycles at least 40km to work every day of the year.
“I started biking to work about three years ago,” Incze recalled. “At
first I had to stop a few times on the way in, but I persevered and now
it’s just a normal part of my day.”
Tibor Incze, from Catalyst IT,
enjoys his cycle commuting
and appreciates the many
ways that his employers have
helped make it easier.
Incze appreciates the showers and bike storage facilities Catalyst
offers, as well as the opportunity to work flexible hours. This means
his 75 minute ride to work can fit around his morning schedule, which
includes cycling or walking to school with his seven year old
daughter. Catalyst also provides a selection of fruit to staff each
morning, eliminating the need for Incze to organise his breakfast
before his commute.
The cycling culture may manifest from other regular occurrences at Catalyst: Curry Wednesday, Pizza
Thursday and Beer O’ Clock on Friday are probably good reasons for biking home afterwards! These
traditions are all designed as information-sharing gatherings where staff can discuss their latest projects
and ideas in a relaxed setting.
Recently, Catalyst has been instrumental in rebuilding the Bike Wise website; quite apt for this forwardthinking, cycle-friendly workplace.
2
South Canterbury District Health Board leads by example
Ensuring staff ‘walk the talk’ is all part of the deal for
the South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB).
Based in Timaru, the SCDHB has as its mission ‘to
enhance the health and independence of the people of
South Canterbury’ and Healthy Living Manager, Syd
Horgan, believes this needs to be achieved from the
inside out.
“We have a comprehensive healthy workplace programme, Health4You, that includes a variety of
initiatives and an event calendar with different foci throughout the year,” comments Mr. Horgan.
“Cycling is a big part of the programme, especially during Bike Wise Month (February), and we’re
continually adding new activities and incentives to the programme. Staff are encouraged to cycle on
national Go By Bike Day and to compete in the in-house Bike Wise Challenge.”
Initiated four years ago, the SCDHB Bike Wise Challenge has scorecards distributed to staff so they can
log the number of bike rides completed over a month and also the distances covered on each trip.
Weekly prizes, including cycle safety gear (the Bike Wise high-vis bag covers are especially sought after)
and fruit packs reward and motivate. Challenge entrants have an extra chance to win if they cycle
commute on Go By Bike Day.
“The fruit packs are really popular prizes. We also have food hampers, with produce exclusively from the
local farmer’s market. It’s the age-old equation: good fuel in plus plenty of exercise equals a much
healthier person,” he explains.
Since the 2011 earthquakes, the SCDHB has had to spread its activities over four campuses in Timaru.
Many staff now prefer to cycle to work, rather than drive, as the nearest car parks can be up to five
blocks away. The challenge is a talking point at both work and home and children are encouraged to
take part by cycling to and from school.
“We’ve now got around 100 people taking part in the Challenge each year, which equates to just over
ten percent of employees,” states Mr. Horgan. “That’s a figure I’m really pleased with, although we hope
it increases in the future.”
Demand for trip-end facilities has seen more infrastructure developed for people who cycle. For
example, SCDHB purchased ten bike stands, from a local high school, and will add two new showers.
Other health initiatives at the SCDHB include subsidised gym memberships, walking challenges
(including walking to talk to someone in the office, rather than emailing), healthy eating support, and
support to participate in ‘Hadlow to Harbour’, an annual community fun run.
All in all, the SCDHB’s healthy workplace programme, in which cycling plays a central role, combine to
provide an excellent example for other organisations to follow.
3
Loan a bike repair kit from Unitec library
Pop down to the library at Auckland Unitec, grab some textbooks, a novel…and…a bike repair
kit?! That’s just what you can to do with the innovative scheme introduced at the institution’s Waitakere
campus in 2012.
The ‘borrow a bike repair kit’ scheme is the brainchild of Carolyn Cox, who is always looking for ways to
promote cycling to staff and students at Unitec.
Just like any other item for loan from the library, Unitec staff and students at the Waitakere campus can
check out a bicycle repair kit for their use. Once returned, library staff restock the kit, ready for the next
borrower.
With its strong cycling following, Unitec campuses currently host a range of cycling facilities including
bike stands, showers and lockers that are available for staff members.
Ms Cox, the Environment Sustainability Manager for Unitec, was excited to launch the repair kit
initiative. “It makes sense to have a shared repair kit available for staff and students if and when they
need it, rather than for individuals to purchase their own. We hope this pilot will be successful; based on
feedback from users, we plan to make it an on-going service that will also be available at the Mt Albert
and Albany campuses,” she said.
This simple idea is a great way to promote safe cycling and, by pooling resources, the cycling
community at Unitec will be better equipped to make sure their bikes are safe.
Fresh towels at Jacobs Engineering Group
The Auckland office of projects firm Jacobs Engineering Group (formerly Sinclair Knight Merz) supports
its employees’ cycling efforts through a dedicated bike user group. Launched in 2008, the bike user
group (BUG) provides support and advice for cyclists, an online forum, weekly bike rides, safety
discussions and commuting surveys. The bike user group maintains strong links with Jacobs’ Health,
Safety and Wellness committee and the social committee.
Jacobs’ Bike User Group Champion Matt Hancock says the benefits are great for both Jacobs and its
employees.
“After riding to work, I feel a lot more awake than if I had been sitting on the bus or in the car,” Mr
Hancock says.
Jacobs’ staff members have access to cycle-friendly facilities including a secure covered bike lock-up,
showers, lockers, dryers, a bike fleet and even regular delivery of fresh towels.
“Having the office facilities available makes things really easy. Supporting staff who decide to cycle
makes them happier and more alert. Supporting cycling also reduces the hassle and expense of car
parking and people feel good about using a sustainable transport option,” he says.
4
Cycling for sustainable business
The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) endorses cycling as one of the most sustainable forms of
transport and therefore, going by bike fits perfectly with the organisation’s ethos. Each of the SBN’s
three offices, in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, has a company bike. The Wellington office’s
bike was generously contributed by the Chinese Government, which donated bicycles to many
organisations in the capital. The SBN’s bikes stay in road worthy and safe condition, with the help of
qualified bike mechanics from local bike shops.
In 2012, the SBN moved its Auckland office from the outer suburb of New Lynn to the central city where
the new premises and location generated many benefits. The new office building bike parking, showers
and space to store wet gear are located close to many of the SBN’s central city contacts.
“Since moving into town, we have been able to visit more of our members and generally get around by
bike,” says SBN Manager, Mark Roberts.
“Providing a company bike is part of our travel policy and we encourage our staff to use it whenever they
can, for doing their jobs around town and travelling to meetings. We often combine public transport,
such as trains, with taking the bike. This enables us to cycle to places that are further away,” Mr Roberts
continues.
Each of the eleven staff members have the opportunity to create targets about sustainable transport
options and many commit to cycling as a part of what they do every day. For those who choose to use
their own bike, the SBN provides an allowance toward maintenance costs.
Mr Roberts says, “Having our staff cycle gives them a great opportunity to get outside and get some
fresh air, while using a form transport that is environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient – it’s a win-win
situation.”
Bay of Plenty Regional Council pedals towards a lower carbon footprint
Sustainable transport is an on-going challenge for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Distances of up to
100 kilometres between its numerous office locations make cycling unrealistic for inter-office travel, and
so carpooling is practised regularly. For local personal and work related travel, the Council provides a
small fleet of bicycles at its offices in Rotorua, Tauranga and Whakatāne. The fleet includes a
conventional bike and several ‘Whisper’ electric bikes.
Corporate Property Manager at Regional Council, Annabel Bridge, said the Council encourages staff to
use the bicycles, as cycling has a positive impact on staff health and wellbeing and helps reduce the
organisation’s transport related carbon footprint.
Annabel said, “Council staff can use these bikes whenever they wish, as we have them in a booking
system. Staff regularly travel by bicycle to local meetings and around town to do their jobs.”
The Regional Council also has bicycle racks, showers and gear storage facilities at its offices.
Go By Bike Day: Jade Software Corporation leads the way
5
Jade Software Corporation is an organisation that takes pride in leading the way in the technology field,
and also in enabling its staff to live a healthy and active lifestyle. The company executive management
and staff have embraced national Go By Bike Day in February and dubbed it ‘Jade Bike Week’.
A global company, with offices in Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland, Jade Software employees are
encouraged to be healthy, resilient and engaged through its ‘X-Series’ programme. The X-Series
programme is designed to put more fun into life through activities such as yoga, golf, Pilates, spin,
circuit, fencing, boxing, fishing and nutritional guidance.
Several years ago the organisation increased its focus on promoting cycling to work, culminating in a
Jade Bike Week held during Bike Wise Month. During Jade Bike Week, there are lunchtime bike
maintenance classes, spin classes and even a wacky BMX race – and, on national Go By Bike Day,
employees who cycled to work were rewarded with healthy breakfast packs and a Jade Bike Week T-shirt.
Over 70 of the 160 New Zealand staff participated in the Bike Week, which was promoted through
internal social media, Facebook, Twitter and daily emails. Managing director David Lindsay led the
charge, cycling from home to work.
“Participating in Go By Bike Day is an example of Jade’s commitment to our people,” he explains. “Having
happy, healthy and engaged staff is important to the success of our business. Due to the largely
sedentary nature of our work, it’s essential we encourage an active lifestyle.”
The story becomes even more charming: funds raised during bike week were donated to Bike On NZ
Charitable Trust, which aims to assist more New Zealanders to experience the joy of biking. The Trust
coordinates the Bikes in Schools project which helps schools get students riding bikes regularly. Jade
Software management believes the charity is a good fit as their efforts will mean ‘more people on bikes
for generations to come’.
Trip-end facilities at Jade’s Christchurch offices include lockable covered bike sheds with over 50 bike
stands, plus showers and clothes-drying facilities. There’s also a workshop stand with a well-stocked
bike repair kit containing spare tubes, puncture repair kits and tools. In the staff kitchen, Jade supplies
blenders and smoothie ingredients for those who bike to work.
Plans to expand the cycle-friendly infrastructure of the company are in the pipeline, especially after the
positive feedback during their in-house Bike Week. Anecdotally, there is evidence that more people are
using bikes to get to work. “One person hadn’t ridden a bike in over five years,” comments Mr Lindsay.
“She is now regularly cycling two to three times a week.”
On a business level, this initiative has provided an opportunity to grow leadership skills within the
organisation. The Jade Bike Week project was planned by Jade’s Grow Group where future talent and a
fun, high performance culture are fostered.
Jade is well on the way to becoming a bike-friendly organisation that provides its staff with many
incentives get on their bikes and ride – and it serves as a great example for others to follow.
Handy resources
6
Facilities checklist
Having great trip-end facilities including bike racks, showers and lockers, will help get your workforce
cycling.
Workplaces that do not have these facilities can often explore alternatives. For example, subsidised
membership at the local pool or gym could provide the shower facilities and lockers that your building
lacks.
For many people, a 15 to 20 minute commute by bicycle can be undertaken without working up a major
sweat.
Which of these does your organisation provide?
Cycle parking
 secure bike parking, e.g. bike cage
 locked storeroom or bike lockers
 covered bike parking
 secure, well lit, and accessible bike parking
 prominent bike stands for visitors.
Washing and changing facilities
 showers
 changing rooms, with irons and hairdryers
 lockers for riding and work clothes
 clothes washer and dryer.
Maintenance kit
 tools for emergency repairs, including pump,
patch kit, spanners and wrenches
 covered space to carry out repairs
 light and battery chargers.
Company shared bikes
 shared bikes for at-work use.
Incentives and support
 BUG (Bicycle Users’ Group)
 discounts at local bike shops
 cycling notice board or website
 stories about cycling in staff newsletter
 interest-free loans for staff to buy bikes
 other transport options for emergencies
 covered space to carry out repairs
 light and battery chargers
 join CAN (Cycling Advocates Network) as a
supporting organisation
 employee allowances for use of private bikes
for work-related use.
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Staff survey - example
This survey is for your organisation’s in-house use. You can tailor it to suit your needs.
[Your company/organisation’s name here] is reviewing workplace cycling related activities, behaviours,
attitudes and facilities.
1. How did you travel to work in your last five
3.b. If yes, do you usually use an employer-
working days? For example, if you travelled
provided car park?
twice in a car and walked three times, then write
2 and 3 in the appropriate boxes. Please use the

Yes

No
category that was your main form of transport
for each day.
3.c. If yes, is this free or is there a charge made
to you for the parking space?

Car

Bicycle

Charged

Motor cycle

Free

Public transport

Walk

Other (please specify)
2. Are there other ways of getting to work that
you could have used but did not? (Please tick the
appropriate boxes.)
4. My journey to work is: (tick one box only)

less than 1 km

1 to 5 km

5 to 10 km

More than 10 km
5. I own a bike, or can borrow a bike:

Car

Walk

Yes

Cycle

No

Public transport

Train and cycle

Other

daily

None of the above

several days each week

once a week

about once a month

once in a blue moon

never
3.a. Do you usually drive a car to work? (Please
tick the appropriate box.)

Yes

No
6. I bike to work: (tick one box only)
6
more bike racks at work
each line.)

more secure company bike racks

a locker for my gear

showers and changing facilities

cycle repair gear at work

a company bike fleet/pool bicycles

a voucher towards my cycling costs

regular cycling related events at work

information about local cycle routes

travel planning assistance

cycle skills training and refreshers

cycle maintenance and repair training

cycling buddies

other (please specify)
don’t know

strongly
disagree
journey to work? (Tick the appropriate box on
disagree
the following: (tick as many as you wish)
neutral
statements when applied to your personal
agree
8. I would be happier biking to work if we had
strongly
agree
7. What is your opinion on the following
1
2
3
4
5
6
Public
transport is
convenient
Walking is
convenient
Cycling is
convenient
Car travel is
convenient
Public
transport is
quick
Cycling is
quick
Journeys by
car are
quick
Cycling is
Safe
Cycling is
healthy
Cycling is
good for the
environment
Cycling is
good for
our
organisation
9. Your gender:

male

female
10. Your age range:

16-29

30-44

45-59

60+
11. Your name (optional)
Please add any additional comments here – we value your feedback.
Thanks for your time!
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How far will you cycle? Journey logging sheet
Date
Purpose for Travel
Kilometres
Travelled
Journey
Duration
Comments
e.g.
13/02/15
Biked to and from work
8
30
Felt sleepy before bike ride but felt great
all day. Extra hungry at morning tea time.
13
Poster, flyer and certificate template
Get your workplace cycling
Insert company logo and details here…
Insert certificate, poster or flyer details here…
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