Staff rewarded for healthy travel
From November, Bristol South & West and Bristol North Primary Care Trusts, both based at King Square House in Bristol, will be increasing the mileage rate paid to staff cyclists who use their bicycles for work. The new rate of 50p per mile is paid for work related journeys of up to 5 miles (10 miles return trip).
Both Primary Care Trusts are in the process of developing Travel Plans to encourage more of their staff to use public transport, walk, cycle and decrease their dependence on the car. For short journeys, going by bicycle can be faster than a car, especially in areas of bad traffic congestion. Cycling provides an ideal opportunity to increase levels of physical activity, with all the associated health benefits.
Bristol North PCT Director of Community Development and Public Health, David Evans said Cycling is a superb form of exercise. Regular cycling can nearly halve the risk of a heart attack by helping reduce risk factors such as weight gain, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and stress. We are very keen to improve the health of our workforce and set a good example for other organisations to follow. My organisation is committed to promoting healthy and sustainable travel. I cycle every day to work and we have a growing number of staff who now walk and/or cycle.
