This website uses cookies

We use essential cookies to make this website work. Additional cookies help us to make improvements (analytics) or are set when we incorporate functionality from other websites, such as video, social media feeds and ReachDeck (text-to-speech and translations). More on how we use cookies

Set preferences

This site is best viewed with a modern browser. You appear to be using an old version of Internet Explorer.

Promoting Cycling to Work at OUH

07/11/2024

A pilot programme to help OUH staff members improve their cycling skills was recently underway at the John Radcliffe Hospital. 

Participants in the programme received six ‘Learn to Ride’ sessions provided by JoyRiders Oxford – a not-for-profit, community interest company that provides training for cycling.

The comprehensive programme meets riders wherever they currently are on their cycling journey - whether they are beginners, mastering control of the bike, or riding on roads. The lunchtime sessions are held with staff members who have signed up for the initiative.

One of the instructors said: "It's such a pleasure to be part of the Learn to Ride sessions at OUH. The riders are all motivated to pedal or learn more and are full of interesting questions. I’m so grateful to ride this journey with them."

Earlier this year, our members of staff showed a real interest in cycling at a pop-up information stand during the National Bike Week, and then at the Cycle To Work Day event held by our Here for Health and Travel and Transport teams, and colleagues from Oxford Hospitals Charity.

As a result of this interest, the teams collaborated to launch the Cycle Training Questionnaire in August to explore the barriers to cycling and the support needed, including the provision of onsite training.

In addition to the training, the teams also worked with Re-Circulate to provide some of our staff members with free bikes. Our new staff changing facilities at the John Radcliffe Hospital and new lockable covered cycle parking and bike repair station under the Children's Hospital will further help staff who cycle to work.

'Active Travel Days' are being planned for our sites to encourage more staff to cycle to work and promote health benefits of cycling to work and leisure, in addition to encouraging them to use public transport and reduce the road traffic in the area and improve air quality.

The teams are now exploring further ways of supporting staff who cycle to work, such as DIY maintenance options and recruiting bike champions. The feedback from the six-week pilot will be evaluated to see if this could be rolled out on a wider scale, and on other sites. 

Laura Di Giacomo, Lead Instructor from JoyRiders Oxford, said: "Setting up the programme for OUH staff and being the Lead Instructor in this project is a real honour. Cycling represents such an essential skill to tackle all the challenges that our modern society poses, from the environment, cost of living, traffic congestion, and health. 

"Everybody should be given the possibility to learn to ride a bike or to build up their skills to ride confidently, no matter their age. Thank you to OUH for creating this opportunity for their employees."

Annette Pattinson, Director of JoyRiders Britain CIC, said: "We're delighted to be working closely with the Here for Health and Travel and Transport teams at OUH on this pilot to support staff to cycle to work, the first on-site programme of its kind with a major employer in Oxfordshire. 

"Cycling is a highly practical way to combine the mental and physical health benefits of everyday activity with a quick, reliable, and low-cost transport option, and we're grateful to the Trust for the opportunity to work with them on this innovative pilot.

Nicola Meadley, Project Manager at Recirculate, said: "It is wonderful to see people's excitement when they receive their bike, I hope they will develop the habit of cycling, which we know is so good for mental and physical wellbeing."

Christine Cowell, a member of our Here for Health team, said: “The sessions were snapped up very quickly, and some of the lucky recipients of the bike giveaway also filled the few remaining places. The training providers, JoyRiders Oxford, demonstrate one way that OUH fulfils its role as an anchor institution by involving and supporting local community.

Catherine McNeill, another member of the Here for Health team, added: "Looking back at the responses to the Cycle to Work Survey we conducted earlier this year, in addition to the interest in getting on-site training, a lot of people cited fear of others’ poor driving as a barrier. We all need to be respectful of each other on the roads – both cyclists and drivers need to follow rules and be courteous. I hope the updated highway code encourages road users to think of others in a 'hierarchy of users' structure – encouraging all users to be aware of more vulnerable road and path users."

Wendy Cheeseman, Head of Sustainability and Carbon Management at OUH, said: "At OUH, we are committed to supporting our staff. The training is a great initiative to support our staff who are interested in cycling to work, and making a positive impact in their lives, the environment, and carbon footprint of the Trust. Staff can enjoy numerous benefits of cycling to work, including improved physical fitness, reduced stress levels, and significant savings on commuting costs.

"Our recent events, such as the Cycle to Work Day and now 'Learn to Ride' sessions, have been a success, and we are planning more activities in the coming months on other sites. Thank you to JoyRiders and Re-circulate for supporting our Cycle to Work initiatives."

In this section