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.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Haringey Council's Travel Plan
This (to be clear) is the council's travel plan for the council itself (ie not the borough).
It is written and to be considered for approval by members around July 2007. It contains numerous recommendations, including participation in the bike2work salary sacrifice scheme, pool bikes, a review of allowances and support for the BUG. Away from cycling, it also recommends various measures for reducing the need to travel, and for encouraging public transport use - in summary, many things to reduce car use - more exactly the effects of car use.
It is written and to be considered for approval by members around July 2007. It contains numerous recommendations, including participation in the bike2work salary sacrifice scheme, pool bikes, a review of allowances and support for the BUG. Away from cycling, it also recommends various measures for reducing the need to travel, and for encouraging public transport use - in summary, many things to reduce car use - more exactly the effects of car use.
Monday, 11 June 2007
Cycle to Work Scheme / Ride to Work Scheme
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Information.aspx?TranslationLargeID=34
Chain Reaction Cycles have joined the Cycle to Work Scheme, calling it "Ride to work" (possibly by mistake)
General details of the scheme and facilitators here
http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/news/19878/Buy-your-bike-free-of-tax
Chain Reaction Cycles have joined the Cycle to Work Scheme, calling it "Ride to work" (possibly by mistake)
General details of the scheme and facilitators here
http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/news/19878/Buy-your-bike-free-of-tax
Thursday, 7 June 2007
National Liftshare Day - Thu 14 June 2007
http://www.liftshare.org/nlsd.asp
A chance for all those car driving, non cycling colleagues to do their bit
A chance for all those car driving, non cycling colleagues to do their bit
Bikely
www.bikely.com
This is a system for sharing bike routes with others. You can record your routes by mousing points onto an on line map, or you can upload data from a GPS unit (.gpx format).
I tried out the mouse-map combination and found it pretty easy to use.
This is a system for sharing bike routes with others. You can record your routes by mousing points onto an on line map, or you can upload data from a GPS unit (.gpx format).
I tried out the mouse-map combination and found it pretty easy to use.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Smartmoves newsletter
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/smarterchoices/smartmoves/yourtravelplannews
16 page newsletter about travel plans
16 page newsletter about travel plans
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Commuter Doctor Bike sessions in Haringey during Bike Week (16-24 June)
Commuter Doctor Bike sessions in Haringey during Bike Week (16-24 June)
During National Bike Week Haringey Council has organised additional Doctor Bike sessions for cycling commuters every weekday morning between 8am to 9.30 am at the following locations. Useful cycling accessories and free leaflets will also be available at these locations.
June
Monday 18 8 - 9.30am Finsbury Park - Outside cycle parking shed in Stroud Green Road N4.
8 - 9.30am Tottenham High Road N17 - Southbound location near junction with Monument Way
Tuesday 19 8 - 9.30 am Finsbury Park - Outside cycle parking shed in Stroud Green Road N4.
Wednesday 20 8 - 9.30am Finsbury Park - Outside cycle parking shed in Stroud Green Road N4
8 - 9.30am Wood Green N22 - opposite Wood Green Library
Thursday 21 8 - 9.30am Tottenham High Road N17 - Southbound location near junction with Monument Way
8 - 9.30am Crouch End N8 - Outside Hornsey Town Hall green.
Friday 22 8 - 9.30am Wood Green N22 - opposite Wood Green Library
8 - 9.30am Crouch End N8 - Outside Hornsey Town Hall green.
During National Bike Week Haringey Council has organised additional Doctor Bike sessions for cycling commuters every weekday morning between 8am to 9.30 am at the following locations. Useful cycling accessories and free leaflets will also be available at these locations.
June
Monday 18 8 - 9.30am Finsbury Park - Outside cycle parking shed in Stroud Green Road N4.
8 - 9.30am Tottenham High Road N17 - Southbound location near junction with Monument Way
Tuesday 19 8 - 9.30 am Finsbury Park - Outside cycle parking shed in Stroud Green Road N4.
Wednesday 20 8 - 9.30am Finsbury Park - Outside cycle parking shed in Stroud Green Road N4
8 - 9.30am Wood Green N22 - opposite Wood Green Library
Thursday 21 8 - 9.30am Tottenham High Road N17 - Southbound location near junction with Monument Way
8 - 9.30am Crouch End N8 - Outside Hornsey Town Hall green.
Friday 22 8 - 9.30am Wood Green N22 - opposite Wood Green Library
8 - 9.30am Crouch End N8 - Outside Hornsey Town Hall green.
Doctor Bike Sessions 2007. Saturdays, 12-3pm
Haringey Council is pleased to announce that regular Doctor Bike sessions providing check-ups and minor repairs to bicycles will take place every Saturday afternoon from 12-3pm throughout the summer at the following locations:
2nd June 12-3pm Priory Park N8
9th June 12-3 Finsbury Park N4
16th June 12-3 Priory Park
23rd June 12-3 Finsbury Park
30th June 12-3 Priory Park
7th July 12-3 Finsbury Park
14th July 12-3 Priory Park
21st July 12-3 Finsbury Park
28th July 12-3 Priory Park
4th August 12-3 Finsbury Park
11th August 12-3 Bruce Castle Park N17(by tennis courts)
18th August 12-3 Finsbury Park
25th August 12-3 Priory Park
1st September 12-3 Finsbury Park
8th September 12-3 Bruce Castle Park (by tennis courts)
15th September 12-3 Finsbury Park
22nd September 12-3 Priory Park
29th September 12-3 Finsbury Park
6th October 12-3 Bruce castle Park (by tennis courts)
Please come along for free maintenance of your bicycles, and sign up for free cycle training (available to anyone over 12 years old who lives, works or studies in Haringey). Also pick up free cycle maps and literature.
For further information contact Cycle Training UK on (020) 7231 6005 or visit www.haringey.gov.uk/cycling/doctorbike
2nd June 12-3pm Priory Park N8
9th June 12-3 Finsbury Park N4
16th June 12-3 Priory Park
23rd June 12-3 Finsbury Park
30th June 12-3 Priory Park
7th July 12-3 Finsbury Park
14th July 12-3 Priory Park
21st July 12-3 Finsbury Park
28th July 12-3 Priory Park
4th August 12-3 Finsbury Park
11th August 12-3 Bruce Castle Park N17(by tennis courts)
18th August 12-3 Finsbury Park
25th August 12-3 Priory Park
1st September 12-3 Finsbury Park
8th September 12-3 Bruce Castle Park (by tennis courts)
15th September 12-3 Finsbury Park
22nd September 12-3 Priory Park
29th September 12-3 Finsbury Park
6th October 12-3 Bruce castle Park (by tennis courts)
Please come along for free maintenance of your bicycles, and sign up for free cycle training (available to anyone over 12 years old who lives, works or studies in Haringey). Also pick up free cycle maps and literature.
For further information contact Cycle Training UK on (020) 7231 6005 or visit www.haringey.gov.uk/cycling/doctorbike
Haringey Council BUG relaunch - Tu 19 June, 10am-11am
I’m very pleased to announce that there will be a formal relaunch of the BUG this summer. Bike Week - www.bikeweek.org.uk – (Sat 16 June – Sunday 24 June) – was selected as an appropriate time.
Cllr Brian Haley has kindly agreed to attend.
Please try to keep this time free so that you can come along and help put on a good show. The venue isn’t confirmed, but is likely to be in Wood Green.
If you have anything relevant going on that you think might be worthy of a presentation, bearing in mind the relatively short time slot and intended “showbiz” mood for the event, please do let me know.
Colin Newman
Haringey Council BUG
http://haringeycouncilbug.blogspot.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/haringeycouncilbug
Cllr Brian Haley has kindly agreed to attend.
Please try to keep this time free so that you can come along and help put on a good show. The venue isn’t confirmed, but is likely to be in Wood Green.
If you have anything relevant going on that you think might be worthy of a presentation, bearing in mind the relatively short time slot and intended “showbiz” mood for the event, please do let me know.
Colin Newman
Haringey Council BUG
http://haringeycouncilbug.blogspot.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/haringeycouncilbug
Friday, 11 May 2007
New Highway Code
Two things to do about the highly problematic new Highway Code:
1) Sign the petition - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/roads4bikes/
2) Ask your MP to sign the Early Day Motion:
EDM 1433: "That the alterations in the provisions of the Highway Code proposed to be made by the Secretary of State for Transport, dated 28th March 2007, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28th March, be not made."
Ministers do not sign EDMs, but they still need to be told their consituents' views.
Details of the campaign are here: http://www.cyclenetwork.org.uk/latest/latest.html#hcedm
1) Sign the petition - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/roads4bikes/
2) Ask your MP to sign the Early Day Motion:
EDM 1433: "That the alterations in the provisions of the Highway Code proposed to be made by the Secretary of State for Transport, dated 28th March 2007, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28th March, be not made."
Ministers do not sign EDMs, but they still need to be told their consituents' views.
Details of the campaign are here: http://www.cyclenetwork.org.uk/latest/latest.html#hcedm
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Haringey Critical Mass Ride - Saturday 9 June 2007, noon
Starts from Manor House and ends at Chestnuts Park with a picnic.
Poster / Flyer at http://groups.google.com/group/haringeycouncilbug/files
More details at www.haringey.org.uk
Poster / Flyer at http://groups.google.com/group/haringeycouncilbug/files
More details at www.haringey.org.uk
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Cycle Campaign Network
The Cycle Campaign Network (http://www.cyclenetwork.org.uk/) is an umbrella group for cycling campaigners and cycle campaign goups.
I have registered our BUG with them and also joined their e group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ccnexchange/ so that I can pass on anything relevant from them.
I have registered our BUG with them and also joined their e group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ccnexchange/ so that I can pass on anything relevant from them.
Everyday Cycling
http://www.everydaycycling.com/
"Everyday Cycling started life three years ago [sic] as an idea in the mind of British Cycling’s Ian Drake, who saw the need for a bright, vibrant online cycling community where you could find out everything you needed to know about leisure cycling; places to ride, leisure events, charity rides, what to ride, advice on kit. Moreover, Ian foresaw a virtual place where leisure cyclists could meet, chat and interact – a website that would at the same time stimulate and record activity. Thus, the Everyday Cycling concept was born."
I think this site is mis-named - who goes leisure cycling every day? Even so, it looks good and may be useful.
"Everyday Cycling started life three years ago [sic] as an idea in the mind of British Cycling’s Ian Drake, who saw the need for a bright, vibrant online cycling community where you could find out everything you needed to know about leisure cycling; places to ride, leisure events, charity rides, what to ride, advice on kit. Moreover, Ian foresaw a virtual place where leisure cyclists could meet, chat and interact – a website that would at the same time stimulate and record activity. Thus, the Everyday Cycling concept was born."
I think this site is mis-named - who goes leisure cycling every day? Even so, it looks good and may be useful.
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Haringey Sustainable transport map
http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/haringey_public_transport_map.pdf or
http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/transport.htm
More general information here:
http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/transport.htm or http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/transport.htm
http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/transport.htm
More general information here:
http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/transport.htm or http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/transport.htm
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