With staff at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow encouraged to walk and cycle to work, HGGT recently teamed up with active travel charity Sustrans to fix key worker bikes free of charge.
The event allowed PAH staff to leave their bikes with the dedicated Sustrans team for a faults and safety check before collecting at the end of their working shift.
New active travel routes are coming to Harlow as part of the Garden Town with the cycling and walking network between Nettleswell Orchard and Pinnacles recently resurfaced by Essex County Council alongside the new Sustainable Transport Corridor currently under construction between the Town Centre and Burnt Mill roundabout.
For PAH healthcare assistant and Harlow resident, Zuzanna Kozio, cycling to work has always been her main mode of transport.
“Before moving to Harlow I lived in Krakow and London and it is so much easier to get around those big cities on a bike or public transport so I have continued doing that here.
“I have been cycling regularly since I was a child and I don’t own a car so riding my bike is the best option for getting around the town,” said Zuzanna.
“It doesn’t take me long to get to the hospital at all, around 12 minutes from home, and I don’t have to worry about traffic or expensive parking costs so it is perfect for me.”
For Zuzanna’s hospital colleague, Hannah Varkey, the event was a chance to get her bike checked over by Sustrans experts for any potential issues having not cycled at all over the winter months.
“My bike definitely needs some TLC as I had to keep it outside for a time.
“It’s probably in a state of disrepair but I’m hoping I can ride it more now we’re in the summertime as I’ve been walking to work.
“I really enjoy cycling as it is cost effective and I like riding into Harlow for leisure time.
“My sister rollerblades around the local area so it means we can travel together and get to places quicker.”
Jasmina Choukair is Strategic Head of Facilities & Property Services at PAH and says the hospital is always looking at ways of improving their sustainable travel provision for staff.
“Car parking on site is at a minimum and the priority has to be our patients so cycling is a good alternative for hospital workers, it’s cost effective and a greener way of getting around.
“Our cycling culture at the hospital is growing and staff want more facilities here to store their bikes safely when working as the spaces we have are always utilised.
“We can see that the Garden Town is prioritising the cycling network in Harlow and that’s great because riding your bike on dedicated pathways and away from the road makes people feel much safer.”
