The cycle to work initiative is a tax-efficient, and on the whole, salary-sacrificed employee benefit that provides a way of encouraging more adults to take up cycling.

The savings that individuals make through the cycle to work scheme improves the affordability of, and access to, cycling. Employees who participate in schemes run by Alliance members save up to 40% of the total cost of a new bike.

To date over 500,000 people have taken advantage of the scheme, which involves over 2,220 bike retailers and 23,000 employers.

The Cycle to Work Alliance aims to highlight the benefits to both health and the environment that the cycle to work scheme provides.

The Benefits

Environmental impact:
The cycle to work scheme is recognised as an important way to reduce carbon emissions, current users of the scheme save 133,442 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is the equivalent of:

  • The total annual CO2 emissions of 24,000 homes or a city larger than Hereford;

  • 76 full Boeing 747s flying around the world - more than the combined fleet of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 747s.

 

Health Benefits:
There is a direct health benefit from the scheme, with 87% of participants noticing their health improving, 84% of users rating the scheme as an important and easy way to keep fit and 97% of businesses thinking the scheme is an important way to encourage a healthy workforce.

Employee engagement:
The scheme is a powerful employee engagement tool. 98% of respondents said they would encourage other colleagues to take part in the cycle to work scheme and 89% of employers believe the scheme is an important means of improving employee engagement.

Encouraging new cyclists:
The scheme plays an important role in helping new cyclists get started. The research found that 61% of people did not cycle to work before they signed up to the scheme and 70% classed themselves as either novice or occasional cyclists.

 

Ways2work fully support the important work being undertaken by the Cycle to Work Alliance to increase awareness of the cycle to work scheme and its contribution towards delivering greater levels of sustainable transport in the UK. The scheme provides vital support to businesses to help them reduce their carbon emissions and develop a healthier and more productive workforce