30 Nov NHS Cycling Programme draws to a close

Our programme of NHS cycling events has drawn to a close, after running successfully since summer 2020. The project followed on from the Student Cycle Champion project, which had worked with Higher and Further Education sites across West London since 2016 to support 16-25 year olds into walking and cycling. Following the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 and the subsequent shutdown of universities and colleges, the funding for this project was diverted to work with NHS and hospital staff across the boroughs instead.

As we continue to emerge from the lockdowns of 20/21, with public transport still operating at a reduced capacity, it’s vital we support and better understand how we can encourage key workers to complete their journeys by bike. The NHS is a major employer in West London and can lead the way in getting its workforce commuting by walking and cycling. As well having a healthier workforce, having more cyclists means that cycling is more likely to be encouraged as a health intervention for patients.

Programme highlights:

Coordinating the giveaway of 80 bikes that had been donated by Active Cycling Projects, to be given to NHS and hospital workers across London

Delivering 43 events at 12 hospitals across 5 NHS trusts, covering every West London borough

Discussing all things cycling with more than 1,000 NHS staff, who completed our survey and gave us valuable information about local barriers to higher levels of cycling

Fixing over 500 bikes for NHS staff, so they can cycle safely to work.

Takeaways for the boroughs:
As major employers across West London, hospitals are microcosms of the wider borough. NHS Trusts and their hospital staff can provide an effective target group for boroughs to work with when identifying barriers to cycling, and act as hubs for initiating sustainable travel initiatives. This project has given us a wealth of information on cycling in the NHS, as well as good working relationships with the Trusts, and we are keen to maintain this momentum and deliver further progress.

Please contact Emily Shovlar, Senior WestTrans Coordinator (ShovlarE@ealing.gov.uk) for more information.