Spokes - the NHS Cycling Network
Spokes is an informal network for NHS staff who cycle to work or use a bicycle for work purposes. Spokes exists to:
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support all cyclists working in the NHS
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promote cycling as a viable transport option
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encourage NHS employers to provide suitable facilities and financial compensation for staff who use bicycles
'Cyclists' means everyone who uses a bicycle for work or commuting, including those who only use a bike occasionally and those who would like to use a bike but are currently unable to do so for whatever reason.
Spokes has been shortlisted for the prestigious Health Service Journal Awards 2008 in the category 'Corporate Citizenship' - the winners will be announced on 1 Decmber 2008.
Bicycle Mileage Survey
In February 2008 Spokes surveyed every Trust and Authority in the English NHS, asking how much they reimburse staff who use their own bicycles for work-related journeys. The results showed that many Trusts failed to meet their obligations under Agenda for Change. Find out more on this page.
Newsletters
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September 2008 (Word, 49KB)
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October 2008 (Word, 49KB)
Cycle to Work scheme
The government's Cycle to Work scheme allows employers to provide bikes to their staff as a tax-free benefit provided the bikes are used mainly to travel to and from work. At the end of the agreed loan period, employees may then have the opportunity to buy the bike, resulting in an overall saving of up to 40 per cent of the retail price. To find out more, download the press release or read the Cycle to Work page on the Bike for All site.
There are several companies which assist employers and employees to take advantage of Cycle to Work, including CycleScheme, Cycle Solutions, OnYourBike and NHS Bikes. Of particular note is Cycle2WorkNow which operates the scheme online and can cater for individual employees and even self-employed workers such as GPs.
The London Cycling Campaign and the NHS London Travel Planners Network have published a joint report on the Cycle to Work scheme including a list of all the NHS Trusts in England known to be running the scheme. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has implemented the scheme with great success and Spokes has been kindly provided with a copy of the paper which was presented to the Trust Executive explaining the benefits of the scheme (including the results of a staff survey).
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Press release (Word, 40KB)
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More information at Bike for All (external link)
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Dept of Transport: Cycle to Work Scheme implementation guidance (external link), also available as PDF (133KB)
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London Cycling Campaign report (PDF, 980KB)
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South London and Maudsley paper (Word, 88KB)
Discounts for Spokes Members and NHS Organisations:
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Cycle storage: Spokes has negotiated a 12% discount for NHS organisations purchasing cycle storage lockers from Elite Composites of Brighton. These are high quality individual bike lockers available in any colour, which can be customised with an organisation's logo. They carry a five year guarantee. For more details, see the attached document (Word, 237KB). For any further enquiries, please contact Elite Composites directly
- Pedalites: Members of Spokes can claim a 15% discount on pedalites, the award-winning kinetic energy bike pedal lights. These normally cost £39.95 but are available for £33.96 to Spokes members who order through the website or the Freephone number (0800 422 0484) quoting the NHS voucher code. (Contact the Spokes Co-ordinator for the code.)
- Cycling Southern France by Richard Peace: Spokes members ordering this book direct from the publisher can receive a 20% discount on the cover price of £12.95. Just call Cordee on 0116 2543579 and quote offer reference 'NHS-Spokes Member'.
For more information about Spokes, or to join the Spokes mailing list, contact Joe Mellor at the e-mail address below. Submissions of useful documents (especially cycling policies of NHS bodies), interesting links or other information, advice and opinions are welcomed. Please complete the Spokes membership questionnaire (Word, 27KB). If you have a staff noticeboard, please post this flier (Word, 37KB).
If you are registered with NHS Networks and logged on, you can discuss cycling within the NHS in the Transport and Travel section of our discussion forums.
Network contact: Joe Mellor, joe.mellor@leedsth.nhs.uk