|

Car-Free Day

September 22nd, 2024, was national Car-Free Day. To become a car-free workplace may be thought of as a far-fetched idea by many businesses. However, there are options to overcome these difficulties which can benefit both the company and the environment. This campaign provides a great opportunity to reimagine the journey to work.

Emissions from domestic transport outweighs many other sector’s contribution. So any reduction is a positive one!

Examples of alternative commuting methods include:   

Bike2work scheme

Commuting on a bike is a great way to be car-free and be environmentally friendly. It also has financial and social benefits too. Bike2work scheme is a government-approved cycle to work scheme offering benefits to employers and to employees:

  • Helps your employees save up to 48.25% on a new bike.
  • Save up to 15.05% on employer NI contributions.
  • Reduction of carbon footprint
  • Improve your employees’ health, fitness and energy.
  • Attract and retain great talent.

Learn more at https://www.bike2workscheme.co.uk/

Public transport

Encouragement in the use public transport for commuting and for business travel is a great way to be car-free. There are ways in which a business can encourage this and thus benefit the organisation.

  • Offer discounted tickets or incentives to encourage employees to use more sustainable travel.
  • Reduces need for parking at facilities.
  • Reduction of carbon footprint.
  • Saves money on fuel, parking and vehicle maintenance.
  • Public transport is safer than driving with less traffic-related injuries and deaths.

Carpooling 

Whilst this is not quite car-free, it is the use of fewer cars. This has similar benefits to public transport but it:

  • Can improve social interaction with employees, which could strengthen teams.
  • Can reduces stress from commuting.
  • Unlike public transport there is no time restraints.

Working from home  

Working from home has become a well-used practice over recent years. This has allowed it to be a viable option from some businesses to consider when reducing carbon emissions and being car-free.

  • Reduce costs on utilities, office space & furniture.
  • Lower employee turnover as reduces employee stress & less likely to “burn out”.
  • More flexible working hours as no time needed for commuting and work can be accessed at any time.
  • Fewer staff absences due to sickness, as there is the ability to have fewer physical interactions with other employees.  
  • Importantly reduces personal and the business’s carbon footprint.
  • Additionally, there is a work from home tax relief. Although this is only relevant for those who’s:
    • Job requires you to live far away from your office

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *