Transform how you travel

Active travel is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. Active travel can include:

• walking
• wheeling
• cycling

Sustainable travel includes:

• travelling by bus or train
• sharing a lift with a colleague or friend

It can help you to:

• de-stress
• meet new people
• reduce costs
• feel more ready for the day ahead

This guide offers practical tips, useful contacts, and details of staff benefits to help you switch to active and sustainable travel.

Multi-mode travel

Commuting can sometimes be challenging, especially if you live far from work. One solution is multi-mode travel. This involves combining active methods, like walking or cycling, with sustainable options such as public transport or car sharing.

By choosing these methods of travel, you will:

• make your journey healthier and most cost-effective
• have a positive effect on the environment

Your efforts contribute to NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy 2021–2032 and the Sustainable Travel Action Plan 2024-2027. The aim of this action plan is to prioritise active and shared modes over the use of single-occupancy private cars and deliver on the Sustainable Transport Hierarchy (see below).

Sustainable Travel Hierarchy

The Sustainable Travel Hierarchy can contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.

Cycling provision

Cycling can be a convenient and healthy method of commuting to work and is a great way to fit physical activity into your daily routine.

Facilities such as locked bike shelters, showers and storage lockers are available to make cycling to work easier and less stressful.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran have been recognised as Cycle Friendly Employers across several sites, and we are working towards accreditation at some of our other sites.

Hospital Site	Staff Cycle Shelters	Public Cycle Shelters	Showers and Lockers	Bike Repair Facilities
University Hospital Ayr and Ailsa	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Ayrshire Central Hospital	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
University Hospital Crosshouse (including Maternity)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Biggart Hospital	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
East Ayrshire Community Hospital	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Girvan Hospital	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Three Towns Resource Centre	Yes	No	Locker only	No
North Ayr Health Centre	Yes	No	Locker only	No
Brooksby Medical Centre	Yes	No	No	No

For more information on where the cycle shelters are located at the main sites and how to access the key, see the infographics within the Transport > Cycling section of AthenA.

Check out the Sustrans website to view routes on the National Cycle Network around Ayrshire.

Cycle to Work scheme

The Cycle to Work scheme is a benefit that helps employees to spread the cost of a new bike or cycling accessories.

Employees pay for their bike from their pre-tax salary, which reduces employees’ taxable income and creates a tax saving.

E-bikes

E-bike (electric bike) loan/hire opportunities are available for NHS staff across Ayrshire.

E-bikes offer a convenient solution to make your commute easier if you’re cycling.

You can contact the following local providers:

• North Ayrshire: The Trinity Active Travel Hub – thetrinity@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
• East Ayrshire: Yip World – info@yipworld.org
• South Ayrshire: CGX Cycle Works – 07399 552390, Carrick Centre Maybole – 01655 883222, Biosphere Bikes (for people living or working in KA26 postcode area only) – biospherebikes@gmail.com

Second hand bikes

Second hand bikes are just as good to engage with active travel and support a circular economy to minimise waste.

Second hand bikes are available from:

• Community Gift Exchange, Ayr
• Killie Can Cycle, Kilmarnock – killiecancycle@gmail.com
• Cycle Station, Darvel
• Bike Post, Troon – 01292 314607
• Biosphere Bikes, Girvan
• Equal North Ayrshire – 07966 204010

Public transport

All NHS employees in Scotland can save 10% on all seven day, 28 day, annual and flexible bus tickets.

To access this discount:

1. Register on the NHS Staff Benefits website.
2. Download the Stagecoach Bus app.
3. Create your account and choose the right ticket for you.

You can visit Traveline Scotland for help planning your commute.

Car sharing

Car sharing can have numerous benefits for your daily commute. Why not speak to colleagues who may want to consider this?

Benefits include:

• Reduces cost of travel to work
• Lowers your travel carbon footprint and CO2 emissions
• Provides an opportunity to meet and socialise with other staff
• Reduces single car occupancy car travel to NHS Ayrshire & Arran healthcare sites
• Reduces the number of cars on the road thus reducing road traffic accidents, congestion, pollution and car parking problems.

Flexible work locations

NHS Scotland’s Flexible Work Location Policy provides a framework around flexible work locations which can reduce the need to travel.

Discuss options with your line manager, such as:

• working from home
• closer to home in one of our Distributed Working Zones

Please note, any requests would have to meet the needs of the service.

The Distributed Working Zones are available to book via the link on the front page of AthenA.

Speak to your line manager about what options are available to you to support the Sustainable Travel Hierarchy and reduce unnecessary travel. Working from home, or a base closer to home, on one or two days a week can all have a positive impact.

Walking and NHS Greenspace

Why not take a walk at lunch time or suggest a walking meeting with colleagues or your line manager? Walking Scotland has guidance for staff on walking meetings.

There are walking routes mapped out for:

• University Hospital Crosshouse
• Ayrshire Central Hospital
• University Hospital Ayr
• Ailsa Hospital

Maps can be found on the Transport > Walking section of AthenA.

The routes for University Hospital Ayr and Ailsa Hospital are also available as a leaflet, and can be ordered via our Health Information Resource Service (HIRS) by emailing hirs@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

NHS Ayrshire & Arran have been developing their greenspaces over the years to:

• enhance access
• support biodiversity and green health activities

See the Green Health section for more information on Green Health and activities taking place across North, South and East Ayrshire.

Further information

All other active and sustainable travel information including the hospital walking routes, Cycle to Work Scheme and e-bike user case studies can be found on the Transport section of AthenA.

Contact

North Ayrshire

• Travel Smart Workplace Employer Engagement – travelsmart@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
• The Trinity Active Travel Hub
• Equal North Ayrshire – 07966 204010

South Ayrshire

• Biosphere Bikes
• Carrick Centre Maybole
• Community Gift Exchange

East Ayrshire

• Yipworld
• Killie Can Cycle – killiecancycle@gmail.com
• Cycle Station