Active Commuting
You can support your employees to be more physically active on their commute to and from work. They can walk, cycle and even take public transit.
The facts
- Nearly 75% of employed labour force in Peel drive to work.
- More than 70% of commuters agree their commute experience directly affects their overall job satisfaction.
- Active and sustainable modes of transportation have been shown to improve employee productivity, health and job satisfaction.
Create your plan
The following action plans can help you create an active commuting plan for your organization.
Other information
Get started
Develop policies that support flexible dress codes to encourage bicycling, walking or running to work.
Next steps
- Offer flexible work schedules or work from home options for your employees.
- Develop an organization-wide plan or policy to encourage and support employees with management support and dedicated resources. Consider setting organizational goals that link to other relevant internal policies.
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Conduct a survey with employees to assess how employees are travelling to and from work and consult with staff on additional support needed to encourage active travel.
Next steps
- Involve employees in the ongoing planning, design and monitoring of activities.
- Develop strategies in consultation with staff and stakeholders to promote walking and cycling in and around the workplace.
- Regularly conduct an employee commute survey to support active transportation and carpool programs to evaluate the impact of programs on employees' modes of travel.
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Set up bicycle racks near the building entrance.
Next steps
- Provide shower and locker room facilities.
- Give secure, sheltered, and accessible bicycle storage on the ground floor when possible.
- Support access to bicycles for staff by offering a pool of bicycles for short distance work travel or discounts for bicycle purchases.
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Ensure footpaths and cycle routes are convenient, safe and appealing to use by removing any hazards, obstructions or overgrown vegetation.
Next steps
- Offer a direct and accessible route for pedestrians between the sidewalk or transit stop and the building entrance. Consider creating signs to help people find their way.
- Work with local transit or neighbouring businesses to improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists through reducing traffic speeds, increasing road crossings and dropped curbs when needed.
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- Promote car-free events or days.
- Give information about public transportation available including services accessible to those with visual or hearing impairments.
Next steps
- Promote carpooling and assign priority parking spaces for those who carpool.
- Offer transit discounts or reimbursements.
- Offer staff active commuting incentives.
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Promote and link with existing active travel initiatives such as Bike to Work Day, Carpool Week, and Bike Month.
Next steps
- Recruit healthy workplace champions (including senior level staff) to promote initiatives and events.
- Join a local Smart Commute program to run and promote workplace active travel events and challenges.
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Deliver ongoing information about facilities, services and groups related to physical activity and active transportation.
Next steps
- Give workplace specific information on walking and cycling including maps, distances, routes and safety information.
- See Walk and Roll website for maps and routes in Peel.
