NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is encouraging staff to swap four wheels for two in its ongoing drive to promote sustainability and help lower emissions.
And, ahead of Glasgow’s Climate Week this month, the health board’s very own Dr Bike has taken the phrase ‘get on your bike’ to a whole new level when it comes to promoting active travel.
Claudio Pia, Active Travel Officer with NHSGGC, has recently taken delivery of a custom-made cargo bike, which he uses to cycle to awareness and maintenance events, and which he can convert into a mobile workshop to help others get more out of cycling to work.
The bike was purchased with funding from Cycling UK and was built by Ariel Bikes in Dumfries.
Claudio holds regular ‘Dr Bike’ repair and maintenance sessions at eight sites throughout NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and the cargo bike is the ideal way to get round the city.
“The cargo bike gets used for all Dr Bike sessions within Glasgow really, and I’ve used it to get to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley too,” said Claudio.
““It is a bit more difficult to ride than a regular bike, but I had been riding cargo bikes for years before I came to the NHS and now to be able to use one for these sessions, has been a massive help.
“I can load on all the tools I need, and when I get to my destination I can add a work area and basically convert it into a mobile workshop. The result has been a huge saving in fuel and other related costs such as insurance – and when the traffic is bad it’s a real game changer.”
Dr Bike sessions are held at eight hospital sites across NHSGGC, giving staff access to a bike expert so they can get repairs and servicing done free of charge as well as learning more about bike care and maintenance.
The sessions are advertised to staff in advance, and they are always held first thing in the morning – around 7-9am. That way Claudio can reach the maximum number of people – staff getting in for the day shift, and those leaving after the night shift.
“Anyone who’s on staff can bring their bikes along,” he said. “We’re just keen to do anything we can to get people out of their cars, and in the three years or so I’ve been running the sessions they’ve proved to be hugely popular.”
The Dr Bike sessions are just one of a range of initiatives across NHSGGC to support those who opt to cycle to hospitals.
As well as providing facilities such as secure bike storage and, where appropriate, showering facilities for staff, NHSGGC liaises with local authorities and Police Scotland in areas such as cycling infrastructure and bike security.
NHSGGC also offers a Cycle to Work scheme for all employees, giving them access to tax-free loans of up to £4000 for the purchase of bikes and equipment, with repayment options over 6, 12, 18 or 24 months.
Denis Sweeney, Travel Planning and Systems Manager at NHSGGC, said: “Promoting active travel is a key priority for NHSGGC, and we are glad to be able to offer a range of support to those who opt to cycle to work.
“Demand for NHSGGC’s cycle to work scheme continues to grow, and we are delighted to be able to provide services such as Dr Bike, as well as regular information and promotion sessions across our hospitals and healthcare sites.
“NHSGGC is committed to reaching net zero by 2040 and by taking cars off the road, active travel has a significant part to play in achieving our sustainability goals.
“However, as well as being good for the environment, cycling is a great way to improve physical fitness and mental wellbeing, and we would encourage anyone who is able to give it a try.”
To find out more about NHSGGC’s commitment to sustainability and active travel go to: nhsggc.scot
