Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
What A Bike-Friendly Workplace Looks Like
A bike friendly workplace supports
employees who choose to commute to work
by bike. You can support and inspire a bike
friendly workplace. Ask wellness committee
members and senior employees to provide
bike racks and relax the dress code, or
provide showers and change rooms for
those who wish to bike to work. You can ask
that staff who choose to bike to work are
able to sign out a company car for local
meetings, and short errands. Other
incentives can also be used. Discounts to
local bike shops, commuter contests at
work, or a healthy breakfast or lunch every
few months for those who take part in the
program are good examples of incentives.
Cycling to work even once a week has
financial and physical benefits. Heart
specialists rank biking with swimming and
walking as one of the best ways to promote
heart health.
As long ago as 1989, the Government of
Saskatchewan made the link between
physical exercise and job performance. They
found that those who take part in a regular
health regime are happier in their jobs,
show greater loyalty to their employers, and
get along better with their co-workers.
Studies show that employees who engage in
physical activity often have fewer sick days,
more energy, and are more creative than
their inactive co-workers.
Cycling to work is also better for the
environment. It doesn’t burn fuel, create
pollution, or take up much space in your
workplace. People who travel to work by car
spend more time in traffic backups than
ever before. Environmental studies show
that short, inner city commutes are worse
for the environment than longer commutes.
If your company meets the following
criteria, you could also win one of the
The benefits of bike
commuting can be
seen in the workplace
by:
• A lower absentee
rate and better
morale
• Reduced parking
costs
• Reduced mileage
costs
• Increased
employee
productivity
• An enhanced
community image
of your workplace
Gold, Silver, or Bronze. The levels are based
on these five bike friendly categories for
your worksite(s):
1. Support cycling through work in a
company policy.
2. Promote cycling as a way to commute
to work.
3. Provide educational tools or ways for
staff to bike to work.
4. Provide areas for cyclists such as bike
racks, showers, and lockers.
5. Provide incentives for cyclists.
As with any activity in and around the
work site, you want to make sure you’re safe.
Make bike safety training and bike
mechanics part of your bike to work
program.
Biking to work is an environmentally
friendly, healthy, low-cost activity, with little
risk of injury. Learn more about creating a
bike friendly workplace at www.wechu.org.
There you’ll find topics such as how to
commute in winter, how to set up a
commuter challenge at work, and a
brochure for staff called Bike Commuting
Excuse Busters.
Whether it’s biking to work, walking on
your break, or going to the gym at lunch, it’s
important to eat a healthy diet and move
often for good physical health.
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s Bike
Friendly Workplace Awards. There are five
award levels - Platinum Plus, Platinum,
Go to the Health Unit website to learn more about
creating a bike-friendly workplace!
6 The HUB - June 2014