Power moves: how active commuting can be good for business

How much happier would you be if you could reduce the time you spend commuting each week? Active commuting — namely walking or cycling to work — might just be the answer. The average commute in London, which is most commonly a journey on public transport or by car, covers only just 9.5 km. However, journeys to work in the capital average around 38 minutes in length; that’s a pretty slow-moving journey. Jumping on a bike or making the morning commute your running route for the day means trading in traffic and tube delays for more scenic, less congested and often more direct journeys.

The individual benefits of active commuting are widely accepted; a study published in BMC Public Health found that people who engage in active commuting report improved mood and less fatigue compared to those who drive or use public transportation. These benefits can also be good for business — just one of the reasons Dockside Canada Water is being imagined as one of the healthiest workspace destinations in London, and is positioned perfectly to encourage an uptick in active commuting among its workplace communities.

There are three key ways active commuting can enhance a business:

By boosting employee health and productivity

Making active commuting easier can lead to a healthier, more energised workforce. Research confirms that it reduces absenteeism, enhances focus and improves overall productivity and happiness, making for a more efficient and motivated workforce with a lowered likelihood of experiencing stress-related illnesses and burn out. Healthier employees also mean fewer sick days, creating a more reliable and connected team that can come together to work towards success on a daily basis.

Data collected from cities in Spain, the Netherlands, Lithuania and the United Kingdom found that “commuting routes with natural features or routes along natural environments may invite people to commute actively”. This means that the rich landscape of greenery and expertly cared for and preserved nature areas that define the Rotherhithe peninsula Dockside sits on provide fertile land for local workers to become active commuters, cultivating healthier everyday habits that can lead to increases in wellbeing, happiness and productivity during the work day and beyond.

By attracting top talent

Facilitating active commuting was at the forefront of Bjarke Ingels’ mind when designing One Dockside. Cyclists will be able ride directly into the building — avoiding the need for difficult-to-find back entrances — thanks to an internal spiralling bike ramp, with more than 1400 secure cycle spaces available once inside.

Companies that support active commuting stand out as future-focused, employee-friendly and sustainability-conscious; and are much more likely to get their teams back into the office. Offering key amenities such as priority entrances, secure bike storage and showers positions a company’s workspace as an attractive destination for prospective talent, especially among health-conscious and eco-aware professionals who hope to see their own values reflected in the approach of their employers.

By supporting sustainability and the bottom line

Active commuting can reduce a person’s carbon footprint, subsequently supporting companies’ sustainability goals while improving air quality and reducing traffic congestion; a key consideration in busy London. With fewer cars on the road, businesses can save on parking and other car-related infrastructure, making it a win for both the environment and the bottom line.

Thanks to several scenic cycling routes — which include a quick route that links Stave Hill Ecological Park with Burgess Park in Camberwell, a largely car-free route between Rotherhithe and Greenwich and a quiet route from Southwark to the heart of Westminster — more sustainable habits that fit into the everyday are easily accessible for businesses and their teams based at Dockside.

Explore workspace and Dockside Canada Water here.