A Company That Helps Promote Cycling Bans Cycling
July 6th, 2007 by Maria Evans
A young man enjoying a bike ride.
Jacobs Babtie, a UK based company that “advises local authorities on sustainable transport projects – including how to get more people to switch from four wheels to two,” has “banned” it’s own employees from riding bicycles or motorcycles:
It has told staff at its 36 offices across Britain that they must drive or use public transport. They can use bicycles only if they are working away from roads, such as on canal towpaths.
In an e-mail to all employees, a copy of which has been obtained by The Times, the company’s health and safety manager says: “It’s patently obvious that if you are struck by a wayward vehicle when you are on a bicycle or motorbike you are going to be more severely affected than if you were in a car. The reason for this policy is to protect our employees from other vehicles on the road.
Kevin Mayne, from the Cyclists Touring Club thinks it’s “ironic” that a company would ban cycling on “health and safety grounds.” I’d have to say that the “irony” is “patently obvious.”