Case Study MWH NZ
MWH New Zealand says cycling is good for business
MWH New Zealand's team of 500 staff work from a network of 22 offices to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions. Particular expertise lies in engineering, environmental planning, science, IT, surveying and management services with clients in the government, transport, commercial and energy sectors. It is part of the global MWH organisation. The Christchurch office has about 100 staff.
Andrew Macbeth (Group Leader, Transportation) outlines how the firm's support for cycling is all part of their values.
"We have a Sustainable Development Charter, which confirms our commitment to sound ecological principles, economic efficiency, and social and cultural well-being."
How MWH supports cyclists
"We support cycling because it is seen as being good for the environment and good for MWH." One of the ways the company supports cycling is by belonging to the Cycling Advocates' Network, a non-profit organisation working nationally to improve conditions for cyclists.
The Christchurch office supports staff who choose to cycle by:
- having as many as 35 commuting cyclists on staff, including a number of senior staff
- providing covered bike stands and showers for staff
- participating in the Bike Wise Business Battle in 2003
- making Christchurch City Council cycle maps available to all staff
- supporting a BUG (Bicycle User Group).
Picture top: Some of the BUG members heading for a picnic lunch during bike week in 2003.
Picture bottom: MWH staff bikes in a new bike stand purchased by MWH at the request of the BUG.
BUG proves its value
The BUG supports cyclists by holding special events, such as a cyclists' breakfast on World Environment Day (5 June), and circulating offers of discounts at bike shops arranged by the city and regional councils.
One BUG project has been particularly popular. "We recently replaced our on-site safety vests with new ones that meet current health and safety requirements, so we've offered the old ones free to our cyclists", says Andrew. The vests are brightly coloured fluoro yellow and orange with wide bands of highly reflective material, ideal for night-time cycling. Staff have snapped them up, helping improve their safety on the roads, and recycling otherwise surplus materials.
Caring about environmental impact
MWH is also participating in a Travel Plan pilot project with Environment Canterbury. Under the travel plan, staff who typically drive to work are encouraged to try other means of travelling to and from work, and to think about car sharing and other ways of reducing the amount of car travel they do.
MWH has many clients in local government, where MWH's engineers assist with roading projects. Andrew says, "Our traffic engineers are increasingly thinking of ways of better serving pedestrians and cyclists, the road users with the least environmental impact."
"Cycling helps keep our staff healthy, and healthy staff are good for business. Some of our clients appreciate that MWH is conscious of environmental issues. Yes, I'd have to say that MWH in Christchurch is a cycle friendly employer!"
Updated | 23 Mar 2007.
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