Large employers are often involved in ‘Green Travel Plans’ – especially when they are part of planning conditions for new developments.
The idea is to encourage employees to travel to work in ways other than single-occupation cars. This can involve car sharing, improving public transport (or at least making staff aware of existing provision – e.g. through intranet links to Public Transport web sites.)
Walking can be encouraged by making sure that routes (for instance to bus stops) are direct, safe (not through a busy car park where vehicles have ‘priority’) and marked with small signs or mapped on widely available (paper leaflets, posters and/or intranet).
Cyclist (and potential cyclists) should be provided for with cycle racks, preferably covered, visible and close to main entrances.
In EMW 2008 we hope employers will actively encourage staff to cycle. Some companies have Bike Breakfasts where people who cycle get a free breakfast. Normally “such meals are a taxable benefit in kind but regulations exempt them from tax, as long as they are provided on designated “cycle to work” days.” Full text on HMRC site.
Employers can also get a free track pump – details.
