Active, healthy and sustainable travel

Where possible, encourage walking, wheeling or cycling to work.

Share local authority active travel route maps, promote safe cycling information and consider setting up workplace walking groups.

Installing secure bike storage, lockers, showers, and spaces for changing and drying clothes can make it much easier for staff to choose active travel. Even a small investment in these facilities can go a long way in supporting health and wellbeing at work.

If the cost is a barrier, employers can explore partnerships with local sports centres, gyms, or larger organisations that may be able to offer these facilities for their staff to use.

Encourage the use of public transport by providing season ticket loans or financial contributions, promoting local travel timetables and communicating the associated benefits.

Where there aren’t viable options to walk, wheel, cycle or take public transport, encourage and support staff to share their car trips with colleagues living locally.

Help staff avoid peak travel times and plan journeys more easily by offering flexible start and finish times, and enable agile working where appropriate, with staff able to work remotely from home or an office closer to their home, for some of their week.

Find out more about flexible working.

Organise ‘leave the car at home’ days, step count challenges or cycling competitions with prizes or recognition.

Set up an active travel champion or working group. Leadership buy-in and support, and peer encouragement are key to changing habits.

Include active travel in your sustainable workplace or travel strategy.

Partner with local authorities, transport providers or other businesses to provide feedback on local transport proposals and boost awareness.

Explore the Healthy Travel Charter to see how your organisation can sign up and lead the way.