No Excuses!
A few questions and answers
‘Apathy rules at our place. There’s no way people will come to meetings or form groups. It’s pathetic!’
So, it’s just you then! Believe it or not there is still an enormous amount even a single individual can accomplish. Many BUGs with, nominally, hundreds of members are actually driven by just one or two keen cyclists. But don’t be too hasty in writing off your colleagues. With a bit of coaxing it’s surprising who will come forward. Try asking for just the odd half hour of help here and there.
If it really is you alone, then be creative. As an alternative to forming a Bicycle User Group why not call yourself Cycle Liaison Officer or Spokesperson?
‘It’s my boss who’s the problem. He hates cycling and he hates cyclists. He won’t lift a finger to help us.’
Then don’t talk to him about cycling. Talk about business. Frame your arguments in terms of greater efficiency, reduced demand for car parking, enhanced company profile, lower rates of absenteeism, etc. It might do the trick. You can also take heart from the fact that blinkered, narrow-minded managers seem to be a dying breed. The global economy moves rapidly. There’s a whole new generation of managers who are far more receptive to issues involving the environment and employee well-being. Bide your time.
‘It’s a cash thing. There were redundancies recently and everyone’s budget is being cut. There’s simply no money available for cycling.’
Again, make the business case for cycling. Show how a relatively modest investment can result in real savings. For example, it costs around £2,000 to construct, maintain and administer a single car parking bay. That same £2,000 could park at least 20 bikes. It might also be possible to secure some outside funding for cycle facilities or cycle-related events.
‘It’s all very well telling people to cycle. But have you seen today's roads?! People are too scared to cycle in the rush-hour traffic.’
Cycle training is a remarkably effective way to boost confidence in traffic. Even experienced cyclists will be surprised how much they can control how drivers perceive them and treat them. Contact an accredited training provider such as Life Cycle UK (Bristol and beyond) www.lifecycleuk.org.uk CTUK (London-based) www.cycletraining.co.uk, or BikeRight (Manchester) www.BikeRight.co.uk
‘What’s the point in being a cycle-friendly employer? We could turn our place into a cyclists’ paradise but people will still have to reach it using the public roads. That’s where the problem lies.’
There’s no doubt that fast moving traffic and busy roads are a major deterrent to cycling. But things are improving: road space is being re-allocated, on-road cycle lanes and off-road cycle paths are appearing almost everywhere. Even where conditions are bad there are usually alternative routes using backstreets and quieter roads ideal for cycling.
If the journey to work remains unpleasant, the welcome that cyclists receive at work becomes an even more important issue. If parking a bike, showering and changing are made easy it can compensate hugely for second-class treatment out on the road. So, go ahead, create that cyclists’ paradise!
