Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust works across five hospital sites – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s, Royal Brompton and Harefield, and in over 100 community sites with the majority based in Lambeth and Southwark.
Following a successful trial in 2021, staff at the Trust who travel for work began using e-bikes and e-cargo bikes for short to medium distance journeys. Staff who take part must complete at least one 3-hour Bikeability Level 3 cycle training session and wear a helmet and hi-vis vest when using the e-bike. The Trust provides both the training and safety equipment. Staff using the e-bikes and e-cargo bikes include nurses, therapists, doctors, pharmacists and social workers.
Between the introduction of the scheme in 2022, and May 2024, more than 2,100 miles have been travelled by the Trust’s e-bikes and e-cargo bikes. This has reduced the Trust’s carbon emissions by 430kg when compared to car journeys. Staff using the e-bikes have said they enjoyed using them as it improves their health and wellbeing, and patients said they prefer to see staff arriving on a bicycle rather than in a car.
George Ogleby, Sustainability Communications and Engagement Lead at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have received this award which recognises our ongoing work to promote sustainable and active travel at the Trust.
“By supporting our colleagues to switch to e-bikes instead of driving polluting vehicles, we are protecting the health of patients, hospital staff and people living in our communities.”
The Sustainable Journeys Award, sponsored by Zurich Resilience Solutions, was presented to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust at the UK Fleet Champions Awards 2024. The award celebrates the organisation that has done the most to reduce risk and fuel emissions by enabling active and shared travel (cycling, walking and public transport use), or by improving journey routing to reduce distance travelled by motorised vehicles posing the highest risks to people walking and cycling (for example, avoiding routes around schools).
Click here to find out more about the UK Fleet Champions Awards and 2024 award winners.