What are they?
End of trip facilities include the provision of secure cycle storage racks, showers, changing facilities, lockers and drying space for clothes for use by staff and visitors to the building. Although often characterised as cycling facilities, they may also used by those catching public transport, walking in or going for a lunchtime jog. These are often installed in new buildings or following major refurbishment to meet planning and Green Star requirements. Modern office buildings are increasingly expected to have these facilities.
Advantages / Disadvantages
Reduces CO2 emissions associated with staff and visitor travel.
Increasingly demanded by staff and employers, particularly in city centre offices.
Requires a significant amount of space either at ground or basement level.
The provision of showers will increase the building’s water and energy consumption.
Resource savings
Commuting by bicycle, on foot or on public transport instead of by car reduces CO2 emissions and congestion. Supporting staff who want to leave the car at home can be a useful demonstration of a company’s commitment to sustainability and staff engagement.
Supporting staff who want to go for exercise at lunchtime may also have beneficial impacts on productivity.
Running costs
Showers will increase the building’s water and energy consumption. The ventilation systems to end of trip facilities can also become a significant energy user if not designed and controlled well.
Retrofit / improvement opportunities
Cycle racks are straightforward to retrofit providing there is sufficient space to accommodate them and to access them safely. Vertical and two-tier racking systems are available which are more space efficient. The installation of showers, lockers and changing facilities can be limited by internal space constraints.
Applicable buildings
Applicable to all buildings providing there is sufficient space to accommodate the facilities.
Maintenance implications
Cycle racks require no maintenance apart from two-tier racking systems which are manually operated and need to be kept in working order.
Shower facilities will need to be maintained and changing areas / drying spaces cleaned frequently.
Identification
Cycle racks come in a variety of forms and are normally either located externally or in ground floor or basement level common parts.
Showers and changing facilities are typically provided close to internal cycle racks but can be anywhere convenient within the building.
Questions to ask
- How many cycle racks are present?
- How many showers are present in the building?
- Are they in a safe and secure location?
- How many lockers are available and is there a drying space for clothes?
More information
References required