As part of our commitment to encouraging sustainable and active travel, we are pleased to announce approval on plans for a new, secure cycle facility at University Hospital of Wales (UHW).
Taking on board feedback from staff on how to improve cycling and active travel facilities across our health board, the cycle hub will contain two-tier storage for 90 bikes as well as changing facilities including two unisex showers, a toilet and a drying room. The changing areas will have fixed unit hairdryers and full height mirrors.
The building will be timber-clad, designed to a high-specification using latest technology. The drying rooms will contain dehumidifiers rather than heat to dry items within six hours, and the building is designed to maximise natural light to reduce energy consumption. The outdoor decking area will be constructed using recycled plastic.
The secure facility will be fully enclosed and will be monitored by CCTV, with staff gaining access via their TDSI security card.
The cycle hub will be located opposite Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and will replace the existing temporary shower units.
Work will start on site on 21 February 2022 and the project is anticipated to be completed at the end of March 2022.
During the construction of this new facility, staff can use existing shower facilities at UHW’s Sports and Social Club (membership / fee applies), in Ty Dewi Sant and in Lakeside Wing.
Geoff Walsh, Director of Capital, Estates and Facilities, said: “I am excited to announce start of work on the cycle hub which will be a great facility for staff who cycle to and from work at UHW, and will hopefully encourage more staff to consider cycling to work.
“This new facility will play an important part in creating a reliable, safe place for cycle storage. We have consulted with colleagues who already cycle to work to ask them to feed into the plans to ensure the facility best meets the needs of cyclists and active travellers.
“This facility backs our commitments to promoting healthy and sustainable travel as well as Cardiff Council’s sustainable travel plan for the city.”
Last year, Cardiff Council developed proposals for five Cycleways to support and promote cycling for all ages and abilities. The proposed routes will connect communities to major destinations across the city, including Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay. This also includes a Cycleway from Cardiff city centre to UHW.
The cycle hub at UHW is hoped to be the first of three which will include an additional facility at UHW and another at University Hospital Llandough.
Mike Mullan, Workforce Information Manager at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, is a cyclist and was involved in the plans for the new facility. He said, “I was very impressed with the plans and suggested a couple of additions including lockers, and also mirrors and hairdryers for staff who may find these useful. I think the facility will encourage more staff to cycle commute to work at the UHW site.”
From 1 March 2022, the staff Cycle to Work scheme which enables staff to save up to 30% on the purchase of a bike, will be open all year round to staff.
Operating as a salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle to Work allows you to lease a bike – including e-bikes – over one year, paying 12 equal payments each month to cover the cost.
At the end of the year you can either pay a disposal fee, from which point the bike becomes yours or enter a zero-cost extended hire agreement. The scheme also applies to bike accessories and clothing up to the value of £3,000.
The window for the scheme was previously only available twice a year, however, the scheme will now be open throughout the year.
The new facility and extension of the Cycle to Work scheme is part of Cardiff and Vale UHB’s commitment to ‘Caring for People, Keeping People Well’, ensuring that Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and its many citizens thrive not just today, but for the many years to come.
The scheme also complements the organisation’s commitment to the Healthy Travel Charter in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. As a signatory alongside partner public sector organisations, we are committed to supporting and encouraging staff and visitors to travel in a sustainable way to and from our sites.
By working together with a view to the long-term, public sector organisations in the city aim to increase the proportion of journeys made to and from workplaces which are sustainable, reducing the impact on the environment and improving the health of people in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, now and in future generations.
