Bike Week 2023

It has been another busy week in the Turnstone calendar! Bike Week 2023 has been taking place from 5th to 11th June! Have you done anything to celebrate?🚲

Bike Week is a week-long celebration dedicated to promoting cycling as a fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly way to travel. Bike Week encourages people to connect with their communities and reduce their carbon footprint.🚴‍♀️

Of course, using bike as a form of transport comes with its risks, and can be dangerous if the proper care and caution is not taken by cyclists as well as other road users such as car and lorry drivers, and even pedestrians. Many workplaces now offer “Cycle to Work” schemes, which are a great incentive, so long as current or prospective cyclists are aware of how to stay safe while commuting by bike.🚲

Cycling is generally good for health, particularly cardiovascular health in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, every year more than 100 cyclists die on our roads in the UK, with the fatality rate being disproportionately high – on average, 30 cyclists die for every billion miles travelled, compared with just two car drivers.🚴‍♀️

How other road users can protect cyclists🚲:

Drivers: At night, be cautious of alerts to reflective parts on a bike that will catch your headlights. Always keep in mind that anything reflective that you see could potentially be a cyclist, and provide adequate space (ideally three feet) between your car and the cyclist. Always be aware of your surroundings, particularly where other cars are approaching as a collision between two cars could cause impact and knock into a cyclist on the road. Remember that cyclists do not have protection around them to protect them from impact. Always be on the look out for cyclists, the more you expect to see them, the more likely you are to spot them. Make eye contact where possible to show you have seen them.
Pedestrians: Do not walk across a cyclist’s path as this could cause them to need to brake quickly or swerve, increasing their risk of falling off their bike or colliding with you or something else such as a car, tree, or pillar. Make eye contact with a cyclist to confirm that are both aware of each other’s presence in their vicinity and allow space between you. Be alert and act when you hear a bike bell – remember that bikes are quiet and you may not hear them coming very far in advance.

Some top tips for cyclists’ safety to remember this World Bike Week🚴‍♀️:

Take your time. No matter how close you live to work or your destination, schedule more time than you need.
Find a bike buddy. Cycling with a partner can make your journey safer. If you are an employer, you can organise bike pools, in which employees can sign up to find a bike buddy.
Check your tyres before taking off for a cycle. Having to stop to check a tyre mid journey, possibly on the side of a road, can put you in danger of being hit by another vehicle.
Carefully consider your route. Even if you have to take a longer route, choosing paths that have designated cycle lanes or reduced traffic flow can make your journey a lot safer.
If you are an employer, you can sit with your biking commuters and map the dangerous cycling points in the vicinity of your company and plan a safe route for them to take, avoiding the biggest risks present.
Wear safety gear. If you are an employer, you can invest in branded cycling gear for your employees, which increases their motivation and safety, and the visibility of your company as an eco-commuting one.

How can your workplace participate in Bike Week 2023?🚲

Encourage commuting by Bike: If your workplace does not offer a Cycle to Work Scheme, or bike parking facilities at the site, consider the benefits that this could have for your company and suggest plans to implement these changes. Encourage colleagues to ditch the car and choose to cycle to work, school, or daily errands during Bike Week. The physical exercise and fresh air can also positively impact on mental health. Cycling rather than driving will also contribute to reducing traffic congestion and air pollution, demonstrating commitment to being an environmentally responsible organisation.
Promote Group Rides: Advertise group rides organised as part of Bike Week in communal areas of the workplace. These cycle rides are a great way to meet fellow cyclists and explore new routes. Check the official Bike Week website for organised rides in your area.
Host a cycling information event at work: Organise an event, such as a video call or employee conversation circle to provide information to employees on the benefits of cycling as a healthy and sustainable activity, while focusing on bike safety. If your company offers a Cycle to Work Scheme, World Bike Week is a good opportunity to promote this to the workforce.
Spread the Word: Share your love for cycling and Bike Week on social media. Use hashtags like #BikeWeek2023 and #CyclingRevolution to inspire others to join the movement. Share photos, stories, and tips about your company’s interest in cycling, and encourage friends, family and colleagues to give cycling a try.
Distribute Bike Safety information: If some employees within your organisation cycle, either for work or leisure purposes, take time this week to construct and distribute resources such as leaflets, or a short video on key safety principles for cycling.