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GCHQ - leader of the pack! |
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GCHQ has won a national competition to find the employer that has been most successful in encouraging staff to leave their cars behind and use motorcycles instead. The UK Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) has just announced that GCHQ’s entry for the National Ride to Work Day has earned the competition’s top award – the title of Most Motorcycle Friendly Employer. The award, which comes with the prize of a new £1500 motorcycling shed, highlights the fact that almost 5% of the intelligence centre’s 4500 staff now commute to work by powered two wheeler transport. A delighted GCHQ spokesman said: “This really is the icing on the cake. We already have a high percentage of cyclists compared to the norm – about 15% of all staff – and earlier this year we won a commendation from the Association for Commuter Transport for the many initiatives we have taken to reduce the number of staff driving solo to work. These include special facilities for motorcyclists and cyclists such as showers, lockers and preferential parking. We have also introduced an interest-free powered motorcycle/cycle loan scheme to make it easier for staff to purchase reliable machines and equipment.” Nigel Murray, the Motorcycle Safety Coordinator at Gloucestershire County Council, added: “I am delighted to hear the news from GCHQ – they have shown the way in encouraging safe motorcycling by staging regular safety awareness events and proficiency testing sessions.” Nigel continued: “Leading up to the Ride to Work Day, I worked closely with the management and the recently-formed GCHQ motorcycle users group to promote rider training and the benefits of motorcycle use, and this award recognises the efforts everyone put in. Building on this success, I hope to lend more assistance to GCHQ, and other motorcycle-friendly employers, in the future.” GCHQ is aiming to top this impressive achievement. When an extra 1000 car parking spaces come on stream at its new headquarters in May 2005, following the completion of demolition works, the intelligence centre will still face a 15% reduction in parking provision compared to allocations at its former sites in Cheltenham. To counter this shortfall, staff will be encouraged to leave their cars at home and find alternative means of transport, including motorcycles, cycles, park and ride, car sharing and walking. The MCIA promotes the social, environmental and economic benefits of using powered two wheelers. The organisation stages National Ride to Work Day in July each year to show case the 1.5 million people in the UK who turn their backs on cars and instead use motorcycles, mopeds and scooters, reducing congestion, pollution, journey times and travel expenses. For more details about the MCIA, see www.mcia.co.uk or contact the MCIA at Starley House, Eaton Road, Coventry (tel: 02476 250 809.) 18 October 2004 |
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