Been thinking about the cycle commuting incentives, and realised that
maybe that's not the right question to ask. Or at least not the only
question.
Perhaps the committee should be asking people what stops them riding to
work?
Seems to me you have:
- people who already ride to work at least some of the time. You want
to keep them riding and maybe make them do it more
- people who have thought about it, but haven't tried it
- people who are never going to try it.
It's the ones who've thought about it that you want, the ones who are
even slightly open to the idea.
What's stopping them trying it?
Things I can think of:
- feeling it's too far to ride.
- not sure about facilities - showers etc
- it will take too long, have to ride home in the dark or get up too
early. What about getting the kids to school?
- can't carry things like decent clothes
- don't have a bike, or don't think the old one will do the job
- scared of traffic
Ask around, see if I'm on the money. And maybe find other reasons
people aren't doing it.
Then see if you can deal with those reasons.
For example, sponsor a try-riding-to-work day for those who have access to
a bike. You get their boss to agree to them being latish in, and you try
and hook them up with people in their area who are currently commuting.
Or you even get a current commuter to go to their area. Or you arrange
a rendezvous point where all the try-riding people meet to ride in in
a bunch. The idea being that they get to share the time with someone,
not feel so lonely, have a reason to try and not chicken out. You give
each person a map showing bike paths and safer roads for their personal
trip, so they realise they don't have to fight the traffic that much.
Get them to overcome their fears and realise it's doable. And that it
doesn't take as long as they think.
Get the info out there. Have a webpage or brochure talking about
how to cope with carrying your work clothes on your bicycle. Or what
can be left at work like jackets. Have info about dressing for cycling,
that doesn't talk about expensive special purpose gear, but how you can
manage with clothes you have right now. A map showing the showers and
lockers and bikeparks. A map showing the cycle routes most folk will be
taking to work.
Offer to help people choose a bike. Talk to bikeshops and say your dept
is sponsoring this and see if any come up with a willingness to give
your workers a discount or extra help and welcome. Then publicise those
shops on the web page as places for commuters to go for help. Ask the
local council for a map of council bike facilities for people who need
to nick out to do the shopping or whatever.
Push for not just suit-coat length lockers, but things like ironing
boards in the men's changeroom as well as the women's. Places to dry
wet clothing.
Target what's stopping people, because that's likely to be more powerful
in affecting the non-commuters than any incentive you can come up with.
Zebee
--
Zebee Johnstone ([email hidden]), proud holder of
aus.motorcycles Poser Permit #1.
"Motorcycles are like peanuts... who can stop at just one?"