Car-oriented cities with high congestion have a major impact on citizens’ health and well-being. Air pollution, NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide), is found typically in areas of high vehicle traffic. Exposure to NO2 has been associated with a range of health effects including organ and neurodevelopment during pregnancy, new onset asthma in children and lung function decline in older adults.
Numerous studies have also shown that sedentary, car-oriented lifestyles contribute to higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and other associated diseases.
One way to reduce the amount of car use is to switch the daily commute from cars to sustainable transport modes – like public transport, walking, and cycling – This would incorporate more physical activity into everyday commuting and will improve overall health and wellbeing.
Employers play an important role in creating the incentives and infrastructure to encourage employees to use sustainable transport. So here are our top tips on how you can encourage more employees to engage in sustainable commuting?
Make public transport more cost-effective
TravelHub offers employers a totally free service to help your staff get to and from work in the easiest possible way, whilst taking advantage of the Government Travel Pass Taxsaver Scheme. You can purchase Travel Pass / Taxsaver tickets on behalf of your employees, the cost of the ticket is then recovered from the employee using Salary Sacrifice. The employee saves up to 52% on the value of the ticket and employers are able reap tax benefits by participating in this scheme saving up to 11.05% on Employers’ PRSI contributions.
With hybrid working employees may be wondering if it is financially viable to continue with annual tickets? TravelHub have carried out extensive research and can confirm that for most employees if they make 1 – 4 return trips a week they will save with an annual ticket. Check out our Taxsaver savings for flexible working arrangements HERE
Make active transport more appealing and easy to access.
One of the primary barriers to active transport – which includes cycling, walking, jogging, and other “people-powered movement” – is available infrastructure at the workplace. By providing access to facilities like secure bike locking, showers, lockers routing maps etc., cyclists, runners, and walkers can more easily switch their commute to choose more sustainable means of transport.
Provide more affordable bikes or invest in fleet bikes to share.
Encourage active transport by providing your employees with the Bike to Work scheme, similar to the Taxsaver scheme, employees can save up to 52% on the price of a new bike and accessories. Employers help employees purchase a brand new bike and safety equipment up to the value of €1,250 for a regular bike or €1,500 for an e-bike. The scheme covers the cost of the bike and any necessary safety equipment (helmet, lights etc..), everything they need to get started. The bicycle is purchased on behalf of your employees, the cost of the bike is then recovered from the employee using Salary Sacrifice. If your organisation is not yet registered for the scheme please register now HERE
Advocate for more sustainable transport infrastructure in your area.
Employers (especially if in a business park etc.) can work together with other organisations to advocate for infrastructure improvements, such as more bike lanes, secure bike parking, or expanded bus routes that might help make sustainable transport more accessible for employees. The upside would mean overall improved quality of life and the ability to attract new hires.
Encourage carpooling where active commuting is not an option.
Active transport will not suit everyone and in some instances workplaces may be located too far from public transport or other sustainable transport modes. In these instances, encouraging and fostering a carpooling program through sign-up sheets in the cafeteria or a message board on the company’s intranet or messaging app can go a long way towards getting more cars off the road.
Create a positive active transport culture within your organisation.
There are numerous ways to encourage active transport, employers can:
· Appoint an a sustainable transport taskforce or lead whose objective is to advocate for sustainable and active transport.
· Create a sustainability goal for active transport for your organisation.
· Develop collateral to promote active travel focusing on the benefits to employees health and wellbeing. If this is not something that you provide for inhouse ask third party providers of active transport schemes for assistance with this.
· Encourage employees and managers to be flexible with their schedules that will allow active travellers to avoid rush hour traffic and to have more flexibility.
Employing any of these methods can help improve the health and wellbeing of your workforce, it will help reduce air pollution, and will help attract new hires to your organisation.
