Restrictions easing across the UK
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
WALKING & CYCLING
The Government's advice is if you need to travel to walk or cycle if you can. This will reduce pressure on public transport and the road network. There is lots of support and advice available to help you plan your route, borrow a bike and learn how to cycle safely.
Support available
Better by Bike - Official cycling website for Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Discover great maps and rides suitable for all levels of abilities, bike shops, loan bikes schemes, infrastructure projects, local cycling news, and upcoming events.
Journey Planning - you can use the Better by Bike Route Planner to plan a route or try the Travelwest Journey Planner. You can also get one-to-one personalised journey planning support if you are back at work or heading back to work - Travelwest Free Travel Advice
Walk to Work - The Travelwest website offers some useful hints and tips to make your walking commute an enjoyable and safe experience. travelwest.info/walk/walking-work-tips
Loan Bikes – Travelwest are offering two week loans for e-bikes and 1 month loans for hybrids/folding bikes. A £250 deposit is required for e-bikes and £100 for hybrids, plus photo ID and proof of address. Bikes are collectable from the Create Centre or delivery can be arranged. To sign up see betterbybike.info/start-cycling/get-a-bike/loanbikes
Cycle training – Lifecycle have recommenced 1-to-1 socially distanced cycle training sessions. These are bookable through contacting the Travelwest team at travel.roadshow@westofengland.org
Love to Ride - Our friends at Love to Ride have loads of information for those who cycle, are new to cycling or want to get started. They've recommended a few good online videos from Urban Limits TV to help those new to cycling.
For online videos and advice on cycling safely see:
www.lovetoride.net/bristol/tips
www.youtube.com/user/UrbanLimitsTV/playlists
www.ride-healthy.com/essential-skills
Dr Bike checks – the West of England councils are offering free bike maintenance checks on-site at workplaces or community locations. The mechanics can provide socially-distanced half day (4 hour) sessions providing a minimum of 8 appointments. To book a Dr Bike service for your workplace or community group contact transport.policy@southglos.gov.uk, South Gloucestershire Council.
Cycles for key workers – many bike shops and organisations are offering free or discounted bike sales, loans or servicing to key workers. See Sustrans' ‘Cycles 4 Key Workers’ map to browse an interactive map of cycle offers and discounts currently available. www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/cycles-for-key-workers/.
Cycle to Work scheme – most employers offer staff tax reductions on buying bikes, accessories and clothing to enable them to start or continue commuting by bike through a Cycle to Work scheme. There is no longer a £1000 cap so E-bikes can more easily be purchased through the scheme as well as standard cycles. Check with your workplace whether they are signed up or check out some of the popular providers:
Cycle Scheme also has a Covid-19 advice hub with links to bike retailers if you are struggling to find bike shops with the stock you need, links to trustworthy bike maintenance help and cycle safety advice. www.cyclescheme.co.uk/covid-19
Road space measures - The West of England councils are implementing temporary road space measures to enable social distancing whilst walking and cycling. Sustrans have created ‘Space to Move’, a map-based tool plotting all road space reallocation schemes in the UK and are inviting people to feed back on the schemes that affect them. www.sustrans.org.uk/space-to-move/
Making Public Places Safer is the South Glos Council approach to keeping people safe during the coronavirus pandemic. It is made up of five themes: High streets, Cycling and walking, Schools, Parks and open spaces, and Public transport. For more information about the changes already made to support safer walking and cycling, and to engage in consultations about further proposed changes, please go to https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/making-public-places-safer/.
Bristol City Council has also made a number of changes to make walking and cycling safer in and around the City. To find out more about the changes already made please go to: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/transport-plans-and-projects/covid-19-road-changes. The Council is also consulting on a number of proposed changes to neighbourhood roads and high streets.
Join My Journey – the West of England car share website also helps you find walking and cycling buddies living nearby or along your route to share your journey with for route recommendations or safety. Find your employer’s site or register your company at www.joinmyjourney.org
The Government's advice is if you need to travel to walk or cycle if you can. This will reduce pressure on public transport and the road network. There is lots of support and advice available to help you plan your route, borrow a bike and learn how to cycle safely.
Support available
Better by Bike - Official cycling website for Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Discover great maps and rides suitable for all levels of abilities, bike shops, loan bikes schemes, infrastructure projects, local cycling news, and upcoming events.
Journey Planning - you can use the Better by Bike Route Planner to plan a route or try the Travelwest Journey Planner. You can also get one-to-one personalised journey planning support if you are back at work or heading back to work - Travelwest Free Travel Advice
Walk to Work - The Travelwest website offers some useful hints and tips to make your walking commute an enjoyable and safe experience. travelwest.info/walk/walking-work-tips
Loan Bikes – Travelwest are offering two week loans for e-bikes and 1 month loans for hybrids/folding bikes. A £250 deposit is required for e-bikes and £100 for hybrids, plus photo ID and proof of address. Bikes are collectable from the Create Centre or delivery can be arranged. To sign up see betterbybike.info/start-cycling/get-a-bike/loanbikes
Cycle training – Lifecycle have recommenced 1-to-1 socially distanced cycle training sessions. These are bookable through contacting the Travelwest team at travel.roadshow@westofengland.org
Love to Ride - Our friends at Love to Ride have loads of information for those who cycle, are new to cycling or want to get started. They've recommended a few good online videos from Urban Limits TV to help those new to cycling.
For online videos and advice on cycling safely see:
www.lovetoride.net/bristol/tips
www.youtube.com/user/UrbanLimitsTV/playlists
www.ride-healthy.com/essential-skills
Dr Bike checks – the West of England councils are offering free bike maintenance checks on-site at workplaces or community locations. The mechanics can provide socially-distanced half day (4 hour) sessions providing a minimum of 8 appointments. To book a Dr Bike service for your workplace or community group contact transport.policy@southglos.gov.uk, South Gloucestershire Council.
Cycles for key workers – many bike shops and organisations are offering free or discounted bike sales, loans or servicing to key workers. See Sustrans' ‘Cycles 4 Key Workers’ map to browse an interactive map of cycle offers and discounts currently available. www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/cycles-for-key-workers/.
Cycle to Work scheme – most employers offer staff tax reductions on buying bikes, accessories and clothing to enable them to start or continue commuting by bike through a Cycle to Work scheme. There is no longer a £1000 cap so E-bikes can more easily be purchased through the scheme as well as standard cycles. Check with your workplace whether they are signed up or check out some of the popular providers:
- Cycle Scheme www.cyclescheme.co.uk
- Bike 2 Work www.bike2workscheme.co.uk
- Evans’ Ride-to-work www.evanscycles.com/b2b/ride-to-work
- Green Commute Initiative www.greencommuteinitiative.uk
- Halford’s Cycle2Work www.halfords.com/halfords-for-business/business-cycle-to-work-page
- Vivup www.vivupbenefits.co.uk
Cycle Scheme also has a Covid-19 advice hub with links to bike retailers if you are struggling to find bike shops with the stock you need, links to trustworthy bike maintenance help and cycle safety advice. www.cyclescheme.co.uk/covid-19
Road space measures - The West of England councils are implementing temporary road space measures to enable social distancing whilst walking and cycling. Sustrans have created ‘Space to Move’, a map-based tool plotting all road space reallocation schemes in the UK and are inviting people to feed back on the schemes that affect them. www.sustrans.org.uk/space-to-move/
Making Public Places Safer is the South Glos Council approach to keeping people safe during the coronavirus pandemic. It is made up of five themes: High streets, Cycling and walking, Schools, Parks and open spaces, and Public transport. For more information about the changes already made to support safer walking and cycling, and to engage in consultations about further proposed changes, please go to https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/making-public-places-safer/.
Bristol City Council has also made a number of changes to make walking and cycling safer in and around the City. To find out more about the changes already made please go to: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/transport-plans-and-projects/covid-19-road-changes. The Council is also consulting on a number of proposed changes to neighbourhood roads and high streets.
Join My Journey – the West of England car share website also helps you find walking and cycling buddies living nearby or along your route to share your journey with for route recommendations or safety. Find your employer’s site or register your company at www.joinmyjourney.org