If an employee cycles to work, employers will find that this employee will be more on time, perform better and save employers money. This employee will also have half the number of sick days that other employees do.

Now, an American study, looking at inequality and employer access to potential candidates has found that a council that does not focus on delivering a true multi-modal road network, is directly impacting the earning capacity of minority groups and women while limiting the access employers have to good candidates. Travel choice is key in achieving equity.

Congestion costs the UK £300Billion

On top of this, the car centric road infrastructure approach that is rife, not only at council level, but within the highest echelons of UK Government is costing the country £300 Billion in congestion each year.

But let’s be clear, this is absolutely not about banning the car, but recognising that if we want a healthy, functioning, equal society, then our roads must treat each mode of transport equally and using a set of good design standards for delivering the right infrastructure.

WECA and LEP are failing us

What surprises me most about this is that neither WECA or LEP seem to have a handle on this. Congestion alone is costing the West of England £300M per year. Cars really are not providing the answer and the lack of action on behalf of the Metro Mayor and Patricia Greer (CEO of both WECA and LEP) should have employers up in arms.

We need to move people

For too long Highways and the DfT model things in terms of vehicle movements. Not people movements. Removing on-street parking and introducing 1 bi-directional car lane wide cycle land is the same as installing a 5 lane motorway in terms of people moved.

WHATABOUTERY?!

What about the 37.5Million cars on our roads? They VOTE.

Most politicians will fight tooth and nail to prevent enlightened council officers from delivering a balanced road system that gives equal priority to walking, cycling, and driving.

When accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.

Ignoring the immense long term costs these politicians are burdening the council with in terms of youth and social services through loss of child independent travel and health impacts from transport related obesity and air pollution, they are doing all those businesses in your area a disservice, while ensuring people from minority groups and women have limited access to employers.

It’s the economy stupid

Transport policy pervades all aspects of our lives, and the travel choices available to you will limit the job roles you can apply for. As an employer, your council’s lack of willingness to deliver good cycling infrastructure is costing you money and you will be missing out on star employees.