5 tips for good cycling infrastructure

Do you want to encourage your employees to use their bicycles to commute? Or are you looking for ways to make your company more bicycle friendly? It's not always as simple as it sounds. After all, what do cyclists actually need from your organisation? With the tips in this article, you can have a huge impact on opening up the option of cycling to work. 

1. Provide a bicycle storage area

Employees who cycle to work, need somewhere to store their bicycles while they're working. So, a bicycle storage area is vital. And, if you provide bicycle storage, you should also consider a few important points:

• Make sure bicycles can be stored safely.
• Provide space for all types of bicycles (also for cargo bicycles).

But what is safe? A lockable bicycle storage area or an area that provides employees the possibility to lock their bicycles up securely are the best options. Ideally, the storage area will be covered too so that the bicycles are protected against the weather. After all, the batteries in electric bicycles are not great fans of extremely cold weather. 

What if you don't have the space for a bicycle storage area?

Then, you will have to consider more creative options: bicycles in the hallway, bicycle lifts or bicycle hooks all offer great solutions when space is limited. Or employees could just park their bicycles behind their desks. 

2. Think of charging points too

What is even trickier than having to pedal your non-electric bicycle home? Pedalling home on an electric bicycle with a flat battery! :) This type of bicycle is often robust so you will end up having to cycle home on a very heavy bicycle. Giving your employees the option of charging their bicycle batteries will save them a great deal of energy on their way home. And you won't have an exhausted employee the next day. 

There are several different options:

• Fit sockets near the bicycle storage area.
• Tell employees that they can charge their batteries in the office.
• Install locker systems with charging points.
• Or combine the charging points for bicycles and cars, using JEV for example. 

3. Shower and changing rooms

After a bicycle ride, your employees may be a bit sweaty. Or, even worse, they may have been caught in a heavy shower. For those who want to avoid smelling a bit sweaty at work or creating a puddle under their desk, shower and changing rooms are the perfect solution. They offer employees the option to freshen up or change their clothes after their bicycle commute. 

And do you want to make cyclists really comfortable? Then build a drying room where they can hang their wet clothing to dry. Our client UZ Gent has installed this type of drying room. You can read all about it in the blog: ‘Innovative drying room in UZ Gent’.

4. Service stations

Do your employees sometimes have punctures or need to make adjustments to their bicycles? With a service station, they can fix the issue quickly, as long as they know what they're doing that is. And if they can't do it themselves, they are sure to be able to find a colleague to help. 

This type of service station is often equipped with a screwdriver, universal spanner, socket spanner and tyre pump with pressure gauge. 

5. Make cycling more accessible

A high-quality bicycle is the basic requirement. Nobody wants to get tired and sweaty pedalling a worn-out bicycle that isn't working properly. But, high-quality bicycles are often expensive, so employees may hesitate to make the investment. 

Luckily, there are ways to make bicycles more affordable, such as (you'll never guess) bicycle leasing. This type of lease bicycle offers a 40% benefit for your employees compared to buying a bicycle privately, and comes with a guarantee that covers damage and theft.