All Haringey Council staff are being invited to take advantage of a new series of free bike check-up and minor repair sessions on offer at council offices.
The Doctor Bike sessions have been set up as part of the council's green Staff Travel Plan, aimed at making it easier for staff to leave their cars at home and get around by alternative transport.
Contact Edwin.Leigh@haringey.gov.uk / x 1492
(except for 10 December: Rachel.Parr@haringey.gov.uk /x5277)
The sessions will take place from noon to 2pm on:
Wednesday 12 November 2008: Hornsey Town Hall Annex.
Wednesday 26 November 2008: River Park House.
Wednesday 10 December 2008: 639 High Road, N17.
Wednesday 14 January 2009: Ashley Road / Techno Park.
Wednesday 18 February 2009: River Park House.
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Wednesday 15 October 2008
CYCLE MAINTENANCE WORKSHOPS
Come and learn how to fix & maintain your bike. Course aimed at anyone aged 15+. Pedal Power London in conjunction with Chestnuts Northside Residents Association is running a set of 4 connected Maintenance Workshops at The Chestnuts Community Centre, 280 St Anns Rd (in the park), N15 5BN on the following dates
Tues 21st Oct 6.15pm - 8.15pm Mon 27th Oct 6.15pm - 8.15pm Mon 3rd November 6.15pm - 8.15pm Mon 10th November 6.15pm - 8.15pm
Trained mechanics will be on hand to work with you & give you the skills & confidence to maintain & look after your own bike. To book a place please email: gordonk.pedalpower@hotmail.com or Tel: 07983 949 559. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Tues 21st Oct 6.15pm - 8.15pm Mon 27th Oct 6.15pm - 8.15pm Mon 3rd November 6.15pm - 8.15pm Mon 10th November 6.15pm - 8.15pm
Trained mechanics will be on hand to work with you & give you the skills & confidence to maintain & look after your own bike. To book a place please email: gordonk.pedalpower@hotmail.com or Tel: 07983 949 559. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Saturday 17 May 2008
Five miles to fabulous
CTC's annual initiative specifically aimed at getting women cycling. This year it's the weekend of 7-8 June. See http://www.fivemilestofabulous.co.uk/.
Thursday 15 May 2008
Haringey Council Cycle Loan Scheme
The salary sacrifice cycle loan application form will soon be on Harinet! (These are intranet pages only available to those logged on to the council's computer network)
Scroll down to bottom of http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/intranet/personnel/payandconditions/stafftravelplan/alternativetravel.htm
The cycle loan word document (http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/cycle_loan_1_may_08.doc) there at the moment is for an _interest_ free loan only at the moment.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cycletoworkschemeimplementat5732?page=1 explains the tax-free salary sacrifice scheme
Scroll down to bottom of http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/intranet/personnel/payandconditions/stafftravelplan/alternativetravel.htm
The cycle loan word document (http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/cycle_loan_1_may_08.doc) there at the moment is for an _interest_ free loan only at the moment.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cycletoworkschemeimplementat5732?page=1 explains the tax-free salary sacrifice scheme
Tuesday 29 April 2008
Staff Travel Plan pages on Harinet
http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/intranet/personnel/payandconditions/stafftravelplan.htm
Watch this space for internal staff news about the travel plan. This is an intranet site only available to people logged on to the council computer system.
Watch this space for internal staff news about the travel plan. This is an intranet site only available to people logged on to the council computer system.
Saturday 23 February 2008
Cycle to work scheme - possible pitfall
This is from the Q&A page of Cycle (CTC magazine) Feb/Mar 2008 issue. Despite the fact that plenty of employers operate the cycle to work scheme, there is a risk that some will override this fact with what they see as problems; problems explained (and solved) here:
"After two years of deliberation my employer has chosen not to implement the Cycle to Work scheme (which was described in the Feb-Mar 07 issue of Cycle), mainly on two grounds.
First, since the employer is technically the owner of the cycle for the first year, the company has a duty of care to keep it maintained and would be liable for any accident caused by poor maintenance.
Second, if the employer cannot prove that the employee is continuing to use the bike mainly for 'qualifying journeys' (i.e. commuting) then HM Revenue and Customs can reclaim saved tax from both parties, and impose penalties. My employer claims there have been instances of companies falling foul of both these risks.
What is your view on these two points, and are you aware of any cases such as those claimed?"
Reply (edited):
"I cannot see that any employee would have any realistic chance of pursuing a claim against an employer in such circumstances [as the first grounds your employer gave]. Whilst technically the employer is the owner of the bike, the reality is that the employee has custody and position [sic - possession] of the bicycle and will be responsible for any maintenance issues. I do not see this as a valid objection.
With regards to the second objection, Mr Harrison's employers should be aware that many organisations are now providing assistance to their employees through the Cycle to Work schemes. I am unaware of any HM Revenue & Customs investigations into any alleged abuse of the schemes. The Government is committed to increasing the number of journeys made by bicycle in the UK. In practical terms there would be enormous difficulties proving that the employee had not been using the bike for qualifying journeys.
Unfortunately, the Cycle to Work scheme cannot be imposed upon employers. However, in my experience the majority of businesses are willing to participate in Cycle to Work schemes. This is an easy way to provide an additional fringe benefit to their workforce.
Paul Kitson"
"After two years of deliberation my employer has chosen not to implement the Cycle to Work scheme (which was described in the Feb-Mar 07 issue of Cycle), mainly on two grounds.
First, since the employer is technically the owner of the cycle for the first year, the company has a duty of care to keep it maintained and would be liable for any accident caused by poor maintenance.
Second, if the employer cannot prove that the employee is continuing to use the bike mainly for 'qualifying journeys' (i.e. commuting) then HM Revenue and Customs can reclaim saved tax from both parties, and impose penalties. My employer claims there have been instances of companies falling foul of both these risks.
What is your view on these two points, and are you aware of any cases such as those claimed?"
Reply (edited):
"I cannot see that any employee would have any realistic chance of pursuing a claim against an employer in such circumstances [as the first grounds your employer gave]. Whilst technically the employer is the owner of the bike, the reality is that the employee has custody and position [sic - possession] of the bicycle and will be responsible for any maintenance issues. I do not see this as a valid objection.
With regards to the second objection, Mr Harrison's employers should be aware that many organisations are now providing assistance to their employees through the Cycle to Work schemes. I am unaware of any HM Revenue & Customs investigations into any alleged abuse of the schemes. The Government is committed to increasing the number of journeys made by bicycle in the UK. In practical terms there would be enormous difficulties proving that the employee had not been using the bike for qualifying journeys.
Unfortunately, the Cycle to Work scheme cannot be imposed upon employers. However, in my experience the majority of businesses are willing to participate in Cycle to Work schemes. This is an easy way to provide an additional fringe benefit to their workforce.
Paul Kitson"
Tuesday 10 July 2007
Travel Plan Performance Indicator
I have been wondering about a performance indicator (PI) for travel plans. I think what might work is.
Distance travelled BY motor vehicles (except scheduled buses) to, from or for work / Number of full-time equivalent employees.
This avoids having a PI for public transport and a PI for cycling and a PI for walking, and a PI fpr working from home, etc.
Note that this is the distance travelled by motor vehicles, not people. That way if car sharing goes up, the PI value goes down. This should work for the whole council and any office or department.
It would be better to use fuel consumption, or better still CO2 emmissions, but distance travelled is easier to measure.
Distance travelled BY motor vehicles (except scheduled buses) to, from or for work / Number of full-time equivalent employees.
This avoids having a PI for public transport and a PI for cycling and a PI for walking, and a PI fpr working from home, etc.
Note that this is the distance travelled by motor vehicles, not people. That way if car sharing goes up, the PI value goes down. This should work for the whole council and any office or department.
It would be better to use fuel consumption, or better still CO2 emmissions, but distance travelled is easier to measure.
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