Table 2

Suggestions from focus group participants of how employers can promote active commuting

Management actionStructural changes
Encourage “flexible time” to allow freedom of choice for commuting to workConstruct safe covered cycle locking facilities
Provide a “points for miles” scheme, like the supermarket incentivesProvide on site changing areas, showers and locker facilities.
Give a mileage allowance for business journeys that include active commuting
Conduct an active commuting campaign with a coordinator who provides resources and prompts, for example, internet reminders
Campaigns should focus on accumulating 30 minutes of activity from inward and outward journeys. An example is parking 15 minutes from workplace or alighting early from public transport in order to accumulate activity time. This will reduce exclusion for those who live too far away to actively commute the whole journey