\n Cycling miles in London increased by 32% as commuters turned to bikes during the Tube strike, according to employee benefits provider YuLife.
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The figures showed that cycling <\/a>miles tracked across London increased by a third, from 3,878 to 5,120 miles, the YuLife team promoted in a LinkedIn post <\/a>on 10 September.<\/p>\n Last week’s tube strike lasted seven days, causing travel disruption for commuters in London. The strike was a result of action by the train drivers’ union RMT, after “management refused to engage with union demands on pay, fatigue<\/a> management, extreme shift patterns and a reduction in the working week, as well as failing to honour previous agreements made with staff”, according to the RMT.<\/p>\n Cycling to work isn\u2019t just a commute<\/a>; it\u2019s a lifestyle upgrade, said Darren Walker, head of Ride to Work Scheme at British cycle retailer Evans Cycles, speaking to HR magazine.<\/p>\n Read more: TfL strikes: How employers can support workers during travel disruption<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe surge in bike mileage after the tube strike proves one thing: when the barriers drop, the benefits kick in \u2013 from healthier<\/a> bodies and clearer minds to saving money and skipping delays.\u201d<\/p>\n Walker suggested that cycling to work shouldn\u2019t be positioned as a cost-saving perk but rather as a culture<\/a> shift: \u201cThat means leading by example, with senior staff in the saddle when schemes launch, as well as normalising everyday cycling by showcasing real rider stories across the team.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam Hilton, director of operations for health and wellbeing service provider HCML, told HR magazine: \u201cFor those that can, cycling to work is a great way to increase daily activity levels for better overall health<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He added: \u201cCompanies can help encourage this by introducing cycle to work schemes. HR can help increase uptake of these, and other health initiatives, by adding sign-up details to onboarding packs, the intranet, and staff newsletters.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard Thompson, commercial director at employee benefits platform Perkbox, told HR magazine: \u201cOne of the primary keys to success is promoting the savings and health<\/a> benefits through diverse channels that reach the entire workforce.<\/p>\n \u201cEffective options include the intranet, targeted email communications, and digital signage in high-traffic areas such as break rooms or canteens, and in-person workshops.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: Barriers prevent employees accessing health benefits, research reveals<\/a><\/p>\n Thompson suggested that linking healthier commutes with company reward and recognition schemes is \u201cvery helpful\u201d.<\/p>\n