The Fleet Safety Forum, a division of Brake, the road safety charity, has launched a campaign to promote safe cycling. The Cycle for life campaign, sponsored by specialist personal injury solicitors Bolt Burdon Kemp, includes new guidance for fleet managers and an essential one day seminar for fleet and road safety professionals on cycle to work schemes and cyclist safety.
The benefits of staff cycling to work are clear, with research showing that staff who cycle take less time off sick[i] and are less likely to suffer from inactivity related health problems.[ii] Cyclists are, however, vulnerable road users, and with 20% of cyclist deaths involving a truck,[iii] this guidance aims to help companies to adopt best practice to manage this risk.
The Fleet Safety Forum guidance, Cycle for life: safe and sustainable cycling by employees, provides vital advice on how to encourage employees to cycle to and at work and also advises companies on how to adapt their training and vehicles to protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users. It features best practice case studies on companies that have set up cycle to work schemes and showcases latest developments in cycle-safe technology.
At the seminar, taking place in London on Tuesday 17 July, leading practitioners will discuss how employers and local authorities can work together to encourage employees to cycle to work.
Sophie Brown, business engagement project manager at Transport for London will discuss the Cycle to Work Guarantee, and talk about the ways in which companies can provide facilities to encourage staff to cycle to work.
Ryan Bedford, cycling manager at BSkyB will provide a best practice case study of how BSkyB have revolutionised the way staff travel to work and incentivised cycling for staff.
Delegates will also hear from Steve Edgell, chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance, who will share information on the Cycle to Work scheme and also on cyclist safety and route planning.
Roz Cumming, Development Manager at Brake, said: “Cycling carries major benefits but also major risks for fleets. This campaign aims to equip managers and drivers to capitalise on the benefits of reduced stress, improved health, lower cost and environmental impact, whilst managing the risks presented to vulnerable road users like cyclists by all vehicles, particularly trucks. I urge all fleet managers to get their hands on this guidance and attend the seminar and to encourage more, and safer, cycling this summer.”
Cheryl Abrahams, Partner at Bolt Burdon Kemp, said: “The issue for many employers is a lack of education and awareness of cycling to work schemes and the available support to ensure that they offer the best levels of safety. Managers and employees are often reluctant to implement cycle to work schemes, as they are unaware of the training and facilities that are on offer for cycling initiatives. This campaign aims to improve road safety and limit the number of injuries and deaths on our road by changing the negative attitude and perception towards cyclists and encouraging a more proactive approach to these schemes.”
The guidance document and the seminar form part of Brake and Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Cycle for Life campaign which calls for widespread 20mph limits in communities and for employers to promote cycling.
The guidance is available for free to Fleet Safety Forum subscribers. You can also obtain a free copy by backing Brake’s Cycle for Life campaign and completing this short survey.
Delegate places at the seminar cost £40 for Brake subscribers and £45 for non-subscribers. To book your place at the Cycle for Life seminar in London on 17 July, contact Brake on +44 (0)1484 559909 or
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The Fleet Safety Forum is a low cost, not-for-profit subscription service, run by road safety charity Brake. It supports fleet managers in reducing the human and financial costs associated with road crashes involving at-work drivers. Annual subscription costs just £155 +VAT (discounts available for smaller fleets), and subscribers get access to advice, guidance and other resources to help them improve road safety from within their organisation. Find out more and subscribe online at fleetsafetyforum.org.
