February 20, 2014 9.12 am This story is over 121 months old

Walking and cycling to work is the key to success

More walking, more working: Councillor Richard Davies of Access LN6 explains how encouraging staff to walk or cycle to work could improve business.

Running my own business, I understand that having a healthy and happy workforce is vital to any successful business. And what better way than encouraging staff to walk or cycle to work in the morning?

In the last 12 months, the Access LN6 team has worked with more than 50 local businesses, including Siemens, Lindum Group, Simons, Danwood and others, to encourage employees to travel sustainably to and from the workplace.

Whether walking, cycling, using public transport or car sharing, greener travel can have a positive impact on the success of a business.

As well as individual benefits to staff such as generally feeling happier, increased motivation and cheaper travel, having a healthy workforce with improved wellbeing also has a number of direct benefits for your business. These include:

  • Reduced staff sickness levels
  • Help with recruitment and staff retention
  • Reduced congestion and therefore improved access to the business
  • Support towards your company’s Social Corporate Responsibility
  • Improved image and reputation of your business
  • Improved staff motivation

Working with local businesses to encourage sustainable transport is a key part of our Access LN6 programme, and something we feel will have a real impact on congestion, carbon emission and journey times in the LN6 area.

As well as our Sustainable Travel Officers who work closely with businesses to encourage greener travel, Access LN6 offers adult cycle training to all employees, bike hire, specialist advice, bike maintenance, public transport taster tickets and more.

We also provide a grant of up to £5,000 to purchase anything which removes the barriers to travelling sustainably. Our Sustainable Travel Grant can be used to buy new cycle storage, shower facilities, video conferencing to reduce the need to travel, electric car charging points, and more.

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Councillor Richard Davies is the executive councillor for Highways and Transportation at Lincolnshire County Council. He is also responsible for Access LN6, a £6.5 million programme to improve sustainable transport options in the LN6 area of Lincoln and Hykeham.