Cycle to work UAE 2016 Toolkit for Organisations #cycletoworkuae tuesday January 12 2016 www.sustainabletravel.ae
Introduction What is Cycle to Work UAE? Cycle to Work UAE is a national event to be held on Tuesday 12th January 2016 to promote two increasingly important challenges facing workforces in the modern world: active travel and healthy living. This toolkit provides ideas and guidance to help you build an event or activity to encourage your employees and make your participation as an employer a success. Whatever you do, pledge your support to Cycle to Work UAE and ensure your employees are making the most of their commute! Cycle to Work UAE will be driven by the creativity and participation of organisations across the UAE. We encourage all sorts of ideas to celebrate the event not just what is available here! Why should my organisation get involved? Employer advocacy of cycling is crucial if we are to create a culture of cycling in the UAE. As cycling infrastructure is made available across the country, businesses who take cycling advocacy seriously will reap the rewards. There are many reasons to get involved. Employers that actively promote cycling generate additional car parking spaces, enjoy improved rates of staff retention and cultivate a healthier workforce. Employees can save money and time, contribute to a better environment and get to know their local area better.
How can my organisation participate? Spread the word: The most important thing is to let your employees know about Cycle to Work UAE and support activities early: Remind staff of the event date with an employee emailer; Raise awareness through information displays; Produce a company intranet or newsletter article; Send regular routinized tweetable facts. See suggested content at the end of the toolkit that can be tailored to suit your organisation Plan an event or activity: Use this employer toolkit for guidance and ideas to organise your own event Free promotional packs: The DoT is offering a limited number of Cycle to Work UAE promotional packs to help organisations promote their activities to their employees. It is up to your organisation to decide how to use them, whether it s competition prizes or as giveaways to motivate employees to take part. Each promotional pack contains the following items: cotton tote shopping bag; cinema vouchers; cycling water bottle; #MoveRightAD mug and pen; and healthy snacks for cycling. Email tmm.info@dot.abudhabi.ae for more information. Promotional packs will be distributed whilst stocks last on a first come, first serve basis. Share your story: Use #CycletoworkUAE to tell everyone how you celebrated Cycle to Work UAE - demonstrate your sustainability credentials to the wider community and help promote sustainable travel across the Emirate.
The Department of Transport were one of many organisations who took part in 2015
Cycle to Work UAE Photo Competition + = Cycling Photo Win a prize Employees participating in Cycle to Work UAE can enter The National s photo prize draw. Encourage your employees to: Participate in your Cycle to Work UAE activities (whether riding or just collecting information); Take a fun photo as an individual or group taking part; Keep an eye on The National to find out how to enter and see what entrants can win! Look out for future opportunities to win sustainable travel competitions by visiting sustainabletravel.ae.
Cyclist Breakfast + = Breakfast Information Engage with employees + PR opportunity With all the calories burnt, your employees can afford to take on a tasty treat. Invite cyclists to a special Cyclist breakfast or provide a breakfast voucher on the event day to say thank you for taking part in Cycle to Work UAE. Those not participating could also be invited to raise awareness of cycling and to create an opportunity to promote your organisation s sustainability credentials. Information on cycling initiatives can be displayed and discussed in a relaxed informal environment at your workplace, whilst providing incentives and rewarding participation. This is how you could put on your own Cycle to Work UAE day Cyclist breakfast : Identify the number of people to cater for and who qualifies(just those taking part/all employees); Identify a suitable, accessible communal area. If you can find a location where employees can gather with their bikes, it makes for a great picture and makes it easier to identify who is taking part; Decide what your organisation will offer as breakfast (orange juice and granola bar, continental, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast buffet). Think about where you are hosting the breakfast and what your employees might prefer; Advertise the breakfast using the template and emailers; and Encourage attendees to take part in The National s photo prize draw see The National for details The DoT can provide help and advice on putting on your own Cycle to Work breakfast, as well as providing useful information to present and distribute at the event.
Cycle Activities + = Information Participation More Active Making cycling a fun, social activity first can help build confidence before settling on the saddle for the work commute. An event on the evening of Cycle to Work UAE or in the lead up to the day can ensure employees are able to take part in Cycle to Work UAE. Suggested activities that could be promoted to employees include: TrainYas!, StartYas! and GoYas! cycling events at Yas Marina Circuit. Cycle rental along the Corniche cycle track; Spin Classes at a venue close to the office; Bikeshare scheme at Yas Island To get the Cycling Activities off the ground, these are some things you might want to consider: 1. Agree a suitable time/day to run the activity 2. Arrange or inform on transportation to and from the activity venue 3. Advertise the event/activity and gain employee interest and registration 4. Partly or fully subsidise activity and book places/bikes if/where necessary 5. Support a Cycle Champion to supervise a visit 6. Encourage attendees to take part in The National s photo prize draw see The National for details 7. Visit sustainabletravel.ae for further information. On request, the DoT can provide further detail on the cycle facilities and activities available, including: location, availability, cost, opening/running hours, restrictions, specific contact details.
Cycle Safety and Maintenance Sessions + = Training Equipment Growing confidence among cyclists A session run by a qualified cycle training instructor can be a good way to build confidence. An instructor can take a selection of employees through the key safety and maintenance tips to ensure their cycle experience is safe and secure. So how can you organise a safety and maintenance session? Contact your local cycle store or the DoT to identify cycle training instructors in your area; Agree what the session will involve with the training instructor and the number of employees that can attend; Identify a suitable location at or near the workplace to undertake the training; Advertise the initiative and select employees to participate in the training; If necessary, provide transport for the employees to access the cycle training venue; Encourage attendees to take part in The National s photo prize draw see The National for details Visit sustainabletravel.ae for further safety and maintenance advice The DoT can help you identify a suitable cycle training instructor that could deliver a session at you premises.
Led Cycle Ride + = Group cycle ride Guidance Increased familiarity with routes There s strength in numbers organise a led ride with a selected number of employees. Get in the spirit of the occasion and become familiar with the most suitable route for arriving to work safely. Identify a competent volunteer cycle leader amongst the workforce or a trainer from a local cycle shop to help lead and organise the ride. Potential check list could include: Review the latest DoT cycle map and facilities; Identify a Cycle Champion/Cycle Shop Trainer to help plan and supervise the led ride; Arrange for bikes to be located at the start point or for employees to bring the bicycles to the start location; Advertise to employees and confirm how they register; Take registrations and reply with confirmation of arrangements as well as general safety advice; Reward volunteers through recognition and gift; Encourage attendees to take part in The National s photo prize draw see The National for details The DoT can provide up to date cycle maps showing the best locations for cycling within the city. Your organisation can then organise a park and cycle meeting point for employees that can be used as a base for the led ride, or for those who live too far away from work to cycle all the way.
Cycle Parking Areas + = Cycle to Work Prime parking location Increased visibility and convenience for cycling Cycling to work is made easier when there s a secure and convenient space to keep bicycles stored at work. You could identify storage or parking locations either by simply using existing office space or by transforming a prime parking space into a cycle parking bay for the day (or even longer), demonstrating your commitment to the campaign and your employees health and wellbeing. This simple physical measure will raise the profile of cycling, making it more convenient and visible. Want to make cycle parking available at your workplace? Identify a prime car parking bay location preferably next to the entrance on view to employees; Advertise the cycle parking bay through internal communication platforms as well as attractive signage at the bay itself and confirm how employees can get involved; Encourage attendees to take part in The National s photo prize draw see The National for details The DoT can put you in touch with local cycle storage provider to transform your parking space and provide parking bay signage template.
Sustainable Travel Roadshow + = Information Promotional Activities Increased awareness of cycling Cycle to Work UAE is not just about one day; it is about getting the wheels in motion to change habits for a lifetime towards sustainable travel. The DoT s Move Right Abu Dhabi campaign aims to help achieve this with organisations benefiting from the campaign s specialist long-term engagement and support. The Move Right Abu Dhabi sustainable transport roadshow is one way in which organisations can benefit from Move Right Abu Dhabi and will be available to a limited number of workplaces before or after Cycle to Work UAE. A roadshow includes; Smoothie bike a fun and healthy way to engage employees, translating pedal power into juicy blended fruit smoothies in single or multiple flavours Goodie bags a bag filled with sustainable travel information, handy travel related giveaways and healthy snacks Cycle pledge survey Here employees can pledge to change travel behaviour for a certain number of days, making small first steps towards greater change later Information point Move Right Abu Dhabi team provide direct engagement with employees to discuss available sustainable travel options in Abu Dhabi s city. Contact the DoT via tmm.info@dot.abudhabi.ae to ask about our one-off limited tailored roadshows.
Keep It Safe and Find Out More Ensure your event is safe and keep in mind any safety guidelines your organisation has in place for workplace activities. As a minimum, make sure any precautions taken are sensible and deal with risks in a proportionate way. Encourage your employees to do the following whilst taking part in cycling activities: use lights when cycling during darker times of the day; wear a helmet; wear appropriate clothing; take all necessary highway safety precautions; and do not take photos or use social media while cycling. Visit www.thenational.ae/cycletoworkuae for more safety advice and general information.
Beyond Cycle to Work UAE - Workplace Assistant Program The DoT is offering free assistance to help raise awareness and increase the travel options available to your employees. The DoT s TMM team will work with your organisation to develop a bespoke travel action plan that will help your employees make informed decisions about how they travel. The benefits of this could include: time and money savings for commuters; reduction in the congestion and demand for parking adjacent to your site; you organisation could reduce its impact on the environment; and improvement in employee health and wellbeing. In addition to developing a bespoke travel action plan, the TMM team could also offer your organisation assistance to implement measures and initiatives relating to sustainable travel. If you are interested in finding out more please visit sustainabletravel.ae or contact the TMM team directly via tmm.info@dot.abudhabi.ae.
Example Text for Emailer Subject: Take Part in Our Cycle to Work UAE 2016 Event Dear Employees, To celebrate Cycle to Work UAE 2016 [NAME OF YOUR ORGANISATION] will be organising a range of activities. Join in the fun by participating in our Cycle to Work UAE event. Event: [INSERT EVENT DESCRIPTION] Date: TUESDAY 12th January 2016 Location: [INSERT LOCATION] More Information: To sign up or find out more about our activities, please email [INSERT CONTACT DETAILS] or visit [INSERT COMPANY INTRANET LINK] Be sure to spread the word to share your experience and encourage others, using #CycletoworkUAE and #MoveRightAD. Sincerely, [NAME OF SENDER]
Version 1 Published December 2015