Getting Started

Begin by talking! In most organisations the word ‘bicycle’ rarely gets a mention. This isn’t surprising. Companies exist to make products or deliver services. Colleges and universities are there to provide education. Hospitals heal the sick... and so on. So, as a first step, you need to get cycling onto people’s agendas and make it a live issue.

Arrange meetings with relevant managers and senior staff. Be flexible and fit in with their schedules. Keep it brief - they’re busy people. Go into the meeting with a set of ideas and proposals both large- and small-scale. Suggest cheap, quick fixes as well as more expensive, long term schemes. Put the case for cycling firmly, but be prepared to listen and to make compromises. Take notes and record action points. Agree the outcome of the meeting, get a follow-up meeting into your diaries.

Who should you be talking to? Almost everyone! Key people include:

  • Colleagues. Your organisation’s regular cyclists are obvious contacts. But see if you can identify occasional and potential cyclists too. If there is sufficient interest and enthusiasm amongst colleagues, you might consider forming a Bicycle User Group. Click here for more information about BUGs.
  • Site Manager, Estates Manager, Buildings Manager, etc. These people look after your organisation’s infrastructure and are the people to talk to about bike parking, lockers, showers and other facilities.
  • Public Affairs Officer, Press Officer. Make these people aware of cycling’s news value. Show them the sort of press coverage that other organisations have gained as a result of cycling initiatives.
  • Human Resources Manager, Personnel Officer. The people who look after recruitment and employee welfare are likely to consider a commitment to cycling a valuable ‘selling feature’ when it comes to recruiting and retaining high quality staff.
  • Environmental Officer. An obvious choice.
  • Travel Planner. Another essential contact. Cycling has a key role to play in any organisation’s commuting strategy.
  • Others.You will find support for cycling in all kinds of quarters. Take time to seek people out and raise the issue. Senior managers or directors that cycle (or who are at least sympathetic towards cycling) are worth their weight in gold!
  • Local authorities. A valuable source of advice and support.