Is your commute sustainable?

With Freedom Day recently passing and more and more workers are heading back to their place of work – what does this mean to the commute?

The Initiative recently held a Roundtable on the return to the office with Lloyds where members shared their approach to bringing staff back. Whilst there are many benefits to working from home, including avoiding the commute and greater inclusivity by offering more flexible working practices that can fit around lifestyles and responsibilities, working in the same space has many benefits including building a company culture, building relationships and encourage collaboration.

The first lockdown saw dramatic reduction in traffic in Bristol, by the spring, traffic had returned to 80% of normal levels, now with further easing of restrictions traffic levels are expected to increase.

But, does that need to be the case? Bristol has among the worst air pollution and congestion levels in the UK. It will have a Clean Air Zone in 2022 that will limit traffic into the city and in 9 years the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles will end.

The latest Business West economic survey included questions on Climate Action, many of the responses suggest that the return to the workplace mean may not mean returning to the same old commute.

Businesses when asked as to how they had or were planning on taking climate action explained how they are  limiting the need to commute and reducing the need for business travel. Many survey respondents are encouraging working from home to limit the need for commuting, many will continue to use technology to limit the need for business travel and are developing regional teams to increase geographic coverage whilst limiting business travel, those who have a need to travel are showing an interest in switching to an electric vehicle although many still have reservations around range and power.

The West of England Combined Authority who are currently trialling micro-mobility with Voi scooters, have launched a campaign to encourage businesses and residents to Find Joy in the Journey. By encouraging and supporting staff to cycle and walk for short journeys, you and your employees can help improve our air quality, reduce congestion and arrive at work feeling more energised. A film made by our member Aardman, shows how they promote sustainable commuting. There is a guide for businesses as well as grants and support available to install cycle racks or showers, help remote workers stay active, build confidence to change habits, plan journeys, or start a cycle to work scheme.

Infrastructure plays a major part in enabling more to commute by active travel. The current provision isn’t deemed sufficient, particularly cycle infrastructure. Business West, along with 40 other employers is backing the Bristol Cycling Works Campaign to fast-track investment into cycle infrastructure to make commuting by bike safer and more accessible. The call is for a North-South, East-West continuous and segregated cycle paths with secure bike parking that link to park and ride sites allowing those commuting from further afield to make part of their journey by bike.

Many businesses are reliant on cars and vans, next summer, non-compliant vehicles will no longer be able to enter the city centre and in 9 years diesel and petrol will no longer be sold. We have partnered with Action Net Zero on a behaviour change campaign to help businesses and residents to explore how they can make the transition to an electric vehicle as well as mapping the current and future need of EV infrastructure (charging, parking, servicing) across the city.

Public Transport is changing too, First Bus, the bus operator in the West of England has increased the frequency of its services as lockdown restrictions have eased and bus travel is anticipated to grow. They have journey planning tools including their First Bus app and the Space Checker  to allow customers to travel at quieter times. The Tap and Cap payment system also makes boarding faster, easier and contact free.                                                                                                                                   

What will Business West do?

There is much to do to create a sustainable transport system for the city. This is a priority for the Bristol and West of England Initiative and its Climate, Planning and Climate Change group led by Jonathon Foster-Clarke from Atkins and Kevin Gibbs from Womble Bond Dickenson will working on this agenda representing business views and working with the local and combined authorities.

What can your business do?

Find out more about the Clean Air Zone, Bristol City Council have a briefing on the 5th August, more briefings will take place in the run up to the Zone coming into force. 

Download the Joy In The Journey guide for ideas to implement in your own business and what grants and support might be available

Sign up to the Bristol Cycling Works Campaign to call for investment and delivery of cross city cycle infrastructure

Use the Bristol Driving Change Resources to explore whether EV is suitable for your business.

Business West has recently become a BCorp, it is climate neutral and aims to be Net Zero by 2030. Trading to Net Zero hub has been created to share our progress, share resources to help other businesses on their own journeys and work with regional stakeholders to accelerate progress across the region.