APRIL 2021 21
FMJ.CO.UK
THE URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
EXPERT’S VIEW
MEGAN SHARKEY, MANAGER, WALKING AND
CYCLING AT TRANSPORT FOR NSW
The transport
revolution is
upon us. COVID
has highlighted
the many ways
transport utilises
space in our cities.
It has reorganised
the way we move
when physical
distancing
is required.
COVID has also
invigorated the
discussion on the
potential of the more frequent challenges our cities will
face, from diseases to energy constraints which a ects
our health and life activities. It has shown that walking,
riding a bike, or other forms of micro-mobility will be a
necessity for resiliency and sustainability of life. There
are a few things FM and workplace professionals can do
to engage and facilitate healthy and safe routes for their
employees and business requirements. Historically a
lot of this has focused on behaviour change, however
this is only a small piece of the puzzle, infrastructure
matters more.
The first is to create parking for riding bicycles,
scooters, or other micromobilities. If someone can’t
park safely, securely or without it being rained on, then
they are unlikely to leave it during their working hours.
The good news is that you can fit up to 20 folding bikes,
12 standard bikes, or six cargo or accessible bikes in
one motor vehicle parking space. Changes in parking
can create changes in your business, for example, if you
lease space you could potentially convert or reduce
car parking spaces leased in a building; you could
repurpose car parking for a di erent paid usage such
as floor or storage space; or improve your sustainability
rating. Creating parking includes end of trip facilities,
e.g. locker and shower facilities. Many have started
lockers with hot desking practices; however showers,
freshen stations, and di erent types of lockers allow
for more active and di erent types of activities. This
promotes a workplace culture and extends to corporate
practices and leadership, for examples, when ordering
courier services, supporting cargo-bike deliveries,
or providing incentives for bike purchases or loan
schemes. These things create a culture that encourage
healthy environments.
The second is to support active transport
infrastructure. National and local governments have
been planning rapid pop-up infrastructure, as well
as, short and long-term changes to enable walking,
biking, and public transport for sustainable cities.
Segregated cycle-lanes, low tra ic neighbourhoods, or
car free routes are a few examples. Publicly supporting
this infrastructure either through public consultation
processes, media, or advocacy organisations is key
to ensuring governments know they have business
support as well. Support is not unprecedented, for
example, previously businesses would support road
developments or rail projects to enable movement of
people and goods. Without public business support
this won’t happen, and healthy and safe routes will be
sporadic rather than the norm.
Facility managers and workplaces have a role to play
in infrastructure change particularly with parking, end
of trip facilities, and workplace culture. Being part of a
broader coalition though, will help create the healthy
and safe routes that are accessible to all on the high
street, in o ices, or to services both now and with any
future restrictions.
THE PROPERTY AND FM EXPERT’S VIEW
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS, HEAD OF GROUP PROPERTY
& FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, SHAFTESBURY GROUP
One in six people
use public
transport to get to
work across the
UK, rising to every
other worker living
in London. When
surveyed, 65 per
cent of people said
they no longer
felt comfortable
commuting to
work via public
transport, and
69 per cent said they would find alternative modes of
transport due to COVID. This equates to an extra 6.15
million people that will be looking for an alternative to
public transport to commute to work. Operators around
the country are also under pressure to promote social
distancing and thereby reduce capacity, and so the
pressure is on to find a solution that solves both issues.
Understanding and anticipating the needs of
employees as an FM is increasingly complicated in
a world dominated by social distancing, increased
cleaning, remote working, and the futile battle of
limiting numbers in the workplace kitchen.
Workplaces were cramped before social distancing
was around. Space is an expensive resource, and it is
easy to understand why showers, changing facilities,
and bike storage are a rarity. It is also critically
important that we dissuade commuters not to jump
into their car to avoid the train. For the benefit of
those looking to run, walk, or cycle into work, there
needs to be an urgent reassessment of the facilities
available. But with the number of workers returning to
FM CLINIC
Vaughan Williams
Megan Sharkey
ADVICE & OPINION
link
/www.fsifm.com
