Cheaper and easier travel
Smarter Travel Leicester is a programme to assist employers based in and around Leicester introduce and develop sustainable travel initiatives. It provides advice, discounts and resources to help employers from private, public and 3rd sectors help make sustainable travel cheaper and easier for the benefit of employers and their staff. The programme is led by Go Travel Solutions and supported by partners who are able to add value to the sustainable travel offer.
Join over 71,000 people across 53 employers including De Montfort University, E.ON, Highcross, John Lewis, Leicester City Council, Leicester College, Pick Everard, University Hospitals of Leicester and University of Leicester.
The scheme is sponsored by Arriva, East Midlands Trains and Highcross. It is also supported by Centrebus, First, Groundwork, Hammerson, Leicestershire Business Voice, Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, Reach Marketing, RSM Tenon, Unitycomm, ways2work.
If you are interested in joining Smarter Travel Leicester please contact the Smarter Travel team.
Cycle to work report
The Cycle to Work Alliance has published ‘The Green Way to Work, Sustainable Transport report' on 16 May 2013.
They conducted research in order to determine the impact of the cycle to work scheme in contributing to sustainable transport objectives and delivering employee engagement strategies. This report analyses the results of a survey of employees using, and employers offering, the cycle to work scheme, focusing on its vital role in delivering sustainable transport, reducing congestion and improving the environment.
The Cycle to Work Alliance surveyed users and employers who run their scheme with one of the four largest providers of the cycle to work scheme: Cyclescheme, Cycle Solutions, Evans Cycles and Halfords. The survey was conducted between December 1st 2012 and January 31st 2013, by a self-completion online questionnaire. 18,646 employees and 779 employers completed the survey.
Key findings show just how much the cycle to work scheme is encouraging employers and employees to engage in cycling. The impressive statistics include the following:
• The cycle to work scheme is an important agent for behavioural change – encouraging people to take up, and enjoy, cycling to work
• 40% of participants who considered themselves novice or occasional cyclists before they signed up to the scheme, now consider themselves enthusiast cyclists
• 54% of participants said they did not cycle to work before they signed up
• 72% said they would not have bought their bike if it had not been offered through the scheme
• The financial benefits of the scheme remain the most fundamental aspect of participants’ decision to sign up to the scheme
• 98% of those surveyed said that the savings they make on the cost of their bicycle were either ‘very important’ or ‘important’ in their consideration in joining the scheme
• The scheme is an important tool in meeting the Government’s sustainable transport objectives
• 67% of participants would commute by car if they did not cycle to work
• The scheme is an important employee engagement tool, with 98% of respondents saying they would encourage other colleagues to take part in the cycle to work scheme
To read the full report please download the document at the bottom of this page.
Testimonials
"Smarter Travel Leicester have been an invaluable help with the progress of our Travel Plan; by working as a partnership we have been able to give our staff access to discounts on sustainable transport options that we had struggled to achieve on our own."
Ian Murdey - Transport Co-ordinator - De Montfort University
"Sustainable travel is a great way for employees to save money, get healthier and reduce their impact on their environment. The Smarter Travel Leicester programme has given access to some great discounts on the local bus and rail which have proved valuable to employees. It has also given E.ON the opportunity to share best practice with other local companies on promoting and implementing sustainable travel initiatives."
Chris Woodhall - Workplace Improvement Team - E.ON
"Highcross Leicester is proud to be a partner of the Smarter Travel Leicester. Our teams have an opportunity to receive excellent discounts on public transport and cycle equipment and uptake has been fantastic over the last year. Highcross is committed to encouraging both our teams and customers to use sustainable transport and the Smarter Travel Group is an excellent tool and support network."
Jo Tallack - General Manager - Highcross Leicester
"Membership of Smarter Travel Leicester is an important part of the University of Leicester's Travel Plan, not just because it allows us to offer our staff and students discounted sustainable travel options, but also because it provides a strong network of travel stakeholders in the city to share resources, ideas and strength to secure further progress towards sustainable travel."
Sandra Lee - Sustainable Travel Officer - University of Leicester
"The University Hospitals of Leicester can offer staff a wide range of discounted travel options through Smarter Travel Leicester that was previously not available. We have been waiting for the formation of such a group for a long time."
Ruth Ward - Travelwise Manager - University Hospitals of Leicester
Latest news
Cycle to Work Alliance - The Green Way to Work, Sustainable Transport Report
17/05/2013
The Cycle to Work Alliance published ‘The Green Way to Work, Sustainable Transport report' on 16 May 2013.
Update on the new Plugged-in Midlands Scheme
15/05/2013
Cenex, the UK's first Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies are running an event to keep organisations up to date with the Plugged-in Midlands Scheme.
Park and ride saver tickets offer
15/05/2013
