We have been enjoying an especially warm and dry spring, making for ideal conditions for walking or cycling to work. This is a great way of keeping active and healthy, both mentally and physically, but there are many important safety considerations that you should be aware of. Here are some tips on keeping yourself and your employees safe on the commute to work.

Plan Your Route

Whether you are walking or cycling to work, take the time to plan out your route in advance. The route you take when driving may not be suitable for walking or cycling, so you may need to modify it for safety and convenience. Choose routes with safe walking or cycling paths, avoid unnecessary hills, think about sources of shade in the summer, and use navigation apps to help you calculate the best route. You may even find that your walking or cycling route is even more efficient than driving! 

Stay Safe When Commuting Alone

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Consider planning a route for walking to work with others for safety. If you have to walk to work alone, make sure someone knows your route to work and back, and let them know when you should arrive at work or home. You could also share your route with trusted colleagues, friends or family by sharing the location on your phone. Avoid poorly lit areas, stick to public areas, stay aware of your surroundings, don’t walk around with your phone out, and don’t use both earbuds – keep one out to stay alert to your surroundings. Wear flat shoes when walking to work to avoid potential falls and to ensure you can walk quickly or run if you need to. If you encounter anyone suspicious or feel threatened on your walk to work, inform your workplace and the police.

Perform Regular Bicycle Checks

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Make sure your bike is roadworthy and safe for you to ride by regularly checking the tyres, brakes, chain and saddle. Make sure tyres are inflated properly and don’t have any punctures or damage. Inspect the chain for wear and tear and keep it clean /oiled. Check the brakes by spinning the wheel to make sure it spins freely, then squeeze the brake and check that the callipers engage properly and stop the wheel. Check that the saddle is secure, tightening the seat post clamp if needed. You can also get your bike serviced at cycle shops, including Giant, Go Outdoors and Halfords, to keep it well-maintained and safe.

Be Prepared with a Cycling Repair Kit

Carrying a small bike repair kit can help you quickly resolve issues like a puncture without having to go back home or cycle to work on a flat tyre, which can be unsafe. A basic repair should include a puncture repair kit, tyre sealant spray, a portable mini tyre pump and a small multi-tool for adjusting brakes or gears.

Make Sure You Are Visible to Traffic

Being visible on the road is essential for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. Even during the day, rain, fog or even cloudy weather can inhibit the vision of drivers, so you need to take extra steps to be seen. When riding a bike, make sure you have decent working front and rear lights and wear reflective clothing or accessories. Pedestrians should wear brighter clothing where possible, walk facing the traffic, stick to routes that have a pavement or path, stick to well-lit areas, only cross roads as designated crossings, and don’t assume drivers can see you. Consider carrying a small torch for extra visibility when walking at night.

Wear a Helmet When Cycling

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While not a legal requirement, wearing a cycle helmet is strongly recommended by the Highway Code, and by us. A correctly fitted helmet can protect your head from injury in the case of road traffic accidents or unexpected falls. A 2016 study found that the risk of severe head injury decreases by 69% and the risk of fatal head injury by 65% when wearing a helmet. Even a minor head injury can have a major impact on your life, so choose a good quality helmet and make sure it is fitted correctly – it should fit your head snugly but comfortably, not moving or shaking when you move your head. The straps should form a V shape under your ears, and you should be able to fit no more than two fingers between the strap and your chin. The cycle helmet will also have a date that is printed on the inside of the helmet. Like many products, a date is given when it is recommended by the manufacturer that you change the helmet. Over time, a cycle helmet material can deteriorate, so it is recommended that it be changed when the date expires or before if there are any signs of damage, or if it has been dropped heavily or has had any impact damage. If you are unsure, you can get your cycle helmet inspected at a certified cycle shop. 

Look Into the Cycle To Work Scheme

If you would like to cycle to work but cannot afford a bicycle, or you want to offer your employees this benefit, then the Cycle To Work Scheme can help. The scheme is a government-backed initiative that helps employees obtain bicycles and cycling equipment in a tax-efficient way through their employer. First, the employee chooses a bike and any necessary accessories from a participating retailer. The employer then pays for the bike and effectively ‘hires’ it to the employee through a salary sacrifice arrangement, meaning the employee agrees to give up a portion of their gross (pre-tax) salary over a set period, typically between 12 and 18 months. Because the salary sacrifice is taken before tax and National Insurance contributions are applied, the employee benefits from savings of between 25% and 39%. At the end of the hire period, the employee can extend the hire for a small fee, purchase the bike outright for its fair market value, or simply return it. Many employers work with third-party providers such as Cyclescheme, Green Commute Initiative, or Halfords Cycle2Work to manage the process smoothly.

If you want some more information and guidance on safely commuting to work by walking or cycling, then feel free to contact the team here at Optimum Safety.