Employers should take action to promote walking and cycling in and around the workplace, NICE recommends.
In a section of the guidelines on walking and cycling dedicated to workplace action, it said employers, senior staff and designated travel champions should liaise with local authorities and other businesses to improve walking and cycling access to workplace sites, as well as providing information about routes.
Employers should also co-ordinate activities such as informal walking groups, workplace challenges and cycling groups. The “travel champions” should also develop schemes which give staff access to a bike pool or discounted bicycles, such as a cycle to work scheme. Initiatives should be based on evidence-based models of change.
University of Edinburgh chair of physical activity for health and contributor to the guidelines Professor Nanette Mutrie said a lot of people found it challenging to do the recommended amount of physical activity per week: “The working week offers opportunities for activity to a lot of people get their physical activity on the way to work or at work.
“Employers should want to encourage their employees to be physically active in the long term. This has been shown to increase morale and potentially decrease absenteeism and ultimately it can affect productivity.”
Providing information about walking routes and facilities to support those cycling to and from work, as well as cycle to work schemes, were among the steps employers could take, she suggested.
Cyclescheme director and Cycle to Work Alliance founding member Daniel Gillborn said the alliance welcomed the guidance: "Businesses have an enormous potential to encourage their employees to lead active and healthier lifestyles.
"The NICE Guidance provides a useful starting point for Government, local authorities, and employers on their journey towards a more active and health population."
There has been renewed interest in the use of workplaces to promote cycling in recent months. Businesscycle, an alliance of cycling, transport and business groups which aims to encourage cycling to work launched in October.
And earlier this week, News International announced 1,000 employees had participated in its cycle to work scheme.
