The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Consider cyclists, fleet managers told
Date: 27 August 2020 | Author: Sean Keywood
Government plans to encourage cycling could mean fleets need to consider cyclists as part of their policies, according to Licence Check.
The firm says ministers' plans to put cycling and walking at the heart of transport policy could mean, for instance, needing to make sure employee cyclists are fully risk-assessed and compliant.
According to Licence Check general manager Terry Hiles, the plans, which include £2 billion allocated by the government for 'active travel' over the next five years, raise some 'interesting issues' for fleet decision makers, who may need to give them more than just a cursory thought.
He said: "For example, should the company carry third-party insurance, or where cycles are numbered and registered with an employee or surgery, should they be included in a database in the same way as other vehicles used in the course of employment to meet duty of care obligations in terms of fitness and safety?
"If a cycle is company owned and fitted with a tracking chip, are there the same issues of privacy with 'out of hours use' as with cars that have telematics fitted?
"Where cycling has been prescribed on the NHS for an employee, could there be an obligation for the employer to support the rider in line with general employee health and welfare provisions? And if an e-bike is being used, the company may have to look at providing charge points for cyclists to use."
Hiles added that there may also be implications for fleet drivers from increased numbers of cyclists on the road.
"With increased incidence of cycle lanes, temporary street closures and other traffic controls, we are likely to see more drivers receiving fines for driving offences linked to them. Local authorities are much better resourced in this respect than the police.
"In that case, companies may need to update fleet policy documents to consider fines of this type and what the consequences are for drivers who incur them."
