Cycling
Why Cycle?
Cycling offers a healthy (and cheap!) alternative to the daily commute by car. If you live within 5km of Team Valley, you could cycle to work in less than half an hour and burn up to 300 calories – that’s equivalent to a Mars Bar or 2 small glasses of wine a day!
Cycling has numerous health and environmental benefits and is cost effective. If you are unsure of local routes, comprehensive maps of nearby cycle routes are available at GoSmarter. There is also a more detailed view of local cycle routes available from Gateshead Council. This also provides advice to cyclists and gives details of nearby attractions, which may be on your route.
Why not Cycle to Work?
A number of businesses at Team Valley provide secure, well-lit cycle parking facilities, available to employees. If this is not the case why don’t you suggest it to your employer? Most employers, when approached by staff wanting to cycle, are happy to provide a location to park bikes and somewhere to change and store your equipment. Alternatively contact the Travel Plan Coordinator.
If you don’t want to cycle to work in your best gear? Use the showers and lockers at your workplace and get changed when you arrive. It’s easy, so why not give it a go and start cycling your way to a healthier lifestyle (and wallet!).
Why not see if your company knows about , or has applied for, the Cycle Grants available from Gateshead Council. The Grants are available to improve cycle parking and facilities such as showers and lockers.
You could also see if your company offers a salary sacrifice cycle purchase scheme (a Cycle to Work scheme)? This provides employees with the opportunity to buy a bike through their employer, making repayments in monthly instalments. Getting a cycle and cycling safety equipment through this scheme will enable you to enjoy up to a 40% discount on normal retail price. Why not ask your line manager if your organisation runs this scheme.
Need to make a work related trip that’s within cycling distance? Why not encourage your company to set up a pool bike scheme and cycle instead of driving your car. Not only will the company save money but also you could cut your journey time and get fit in one go – no more sitting in traffic!
For more information about cycling in Gateshead visit the Guide to Cycling in Gateshead.
Smarter Choices provides further information about cycling in and around Tyne and Wear.
Visit Sustrans to find out more about cycling and other modes of active travel.
Your employer could also organise cycling events for staff. Encourage them to contact Cycletrex or Sustrans for more information.
Bike Week is a national initiative to encourage as many people as possible to try cycling to work during the week, with the emphasis on changing people’s travel to work behaviour in the long term. Why not try cycling today, or encourage staff at your workplace to get involved in Bike Week.
For cycling events in the North East visit Cycle North East
Keep Your Bike Safe
Tips on how to lock up your bike so it is still there on your return.
Why not visit our new discussion forum "Get Involved" where you can discuss cycling to, from and on Team Valley with others.