Chch travel scheme wins cycling award
Imagine how much easier getting to work would be if you had a travel plan designed just for you.
That could be the reality for Kiwi office workers should a Christchurch company’s awardwinning scheme take hold.
Incorporating personalised travel routes and mode comparisons, Abley Transportation Consultants’ newest tool, TravelWhiz, encourages staff to make smart choices when getting to their new central city office.
Judges at the Bike to the Future Awards were so impressed with the tool they awarded Abley the Bikes in Business award at the 2017 Asia Pacific Cycle Congress, held in Christchurch on Thursday.
Project lead and company associate Ann-Marie Head said the scheme was launched about three months ago when the company moved back into the central city. They relocated to Sydenham after the 2011 earthquakes.
‘‘A few days before we moved from Sydenham to Victoria St we gave everyone a sheet of paper which showed their home address and how to get to the office using different modes, the time it would take, the health benefits of each different mode and the cost,’’ Head said.
A preferred mode was initially suggested, Head said, but as TravelWhiz developed a comparison between options was presented to staff.
‘‘It’s about giving people the option and they can then make a choice, rather than us telling them the best choice, because we don’t actually know everyone’s circumstances,’’ she said.
‘‘So we’re not saying everyone must cycle, but we do have a very strong cycling culture that we’ve had since we began.’’
When compared with walking, taking the bus and driving, cycling came out on top. Abley even had a fleet of company bicycles to ride to meetings around town.
‘‘With cycling, there tends to be a bit of a snowball effect. When people start working here they don’t necessarily cycle, but because it’s the done thing and it’s just a normal way of getting to work, lots of people do pick it up.’’
Head said a third of Abley staff cycled to work, thanks to a strong culture, TravelWhiz, and added benefits. A secure cycle cage had been built in the carpark under their Victoria St offices and showers and towels were available to cycling staff.
‘‘We also get the towels laundered, which may seem like a little thing, but it’s just one less thing to think about when you do cycle,’’ Head said.
The tool would be rolled out to Abley’s Auckland office, and a website was being developed to create personalised travel plans for other organisations.
‘‘Rather than having to go to a number of different websites and online services to find out about something, it’s all tailored for where you work and where you live, and the journey plans will be interactive rather than just on a piece of paper.’’
"It's about giving people the option and they can then make a choice ...'' Project lead and company associate Ann-Marie Head