November 13, 2025
Pedalling prevention: the health and productivity benefits of cycling to work
By Steve Edgell, Chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance
The Cycle to Work Scheme has helped over 2 million people access a bike over the past 25 years. I’m incredibly proud of this milestone – because supporting so many people to make one small change to their day has the power to make a significant difference to their lives, whether financially, physically or mentally.
To better understand that impact, we asked independent experts to examine how the Cycle to Work scheme is not only transforming the way the UK commutes, but also how it stays healthy.
The research quantifies the powerful public health and economic impacts of cycling to work – from reducing premature deaths and improving wellbeing, to lowering sickness absence and boosting productivity.
A major boost to public health and prevention efforts
We know that 38% of scheme participants are completely new to cycle commuting which means that the scheme has changed the way they move around every single day, helping them to cultivate a new habit that has the potential to transform their lives.
According to the research, when compared to travelling by car, cycling to work cuts the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 24%, and from cancer by 16%.
In the office, 90% of employers report that their workforce is healthier since introducing the Scheme, helping to embed a healthy workplace culture.
The benefits reach far beyond the workplace. Health savings from reduced premature deaths are estimated at £4.7 million (NPV), showing that when more people choose to cycle, the impact is felt across society.
The Cycle to Work scheme is helping people stay active, easing pressure on the NHS and showing how prevention can be part of everyday life. It’s a simple policy with powerful results.
Productivity, wellbeing and prevention – the healthy business case
By making active travel easier, the scheme enables people to feel fitter, more energised and more productive. Participants now cycle an average of 30.4 miles a week, up from 12.4 miles before joining the scheme – evidence of real, sustained behaviour change.
This growing participation is delivering measurable benefits not just for individuals, but for employers and the wider economy – proving that good health policy is good economic policy too.
Cycle to Work participants take, on average, 0.34 fewer sick days per year, saving employers £63 per employee in sickness costs. Across the workforce, that translates into £2.1 million in annual savings, or £15.1 million NPV over eight years.
The findings reveal that cycling to work delivers £37 million in combined annual benefits from reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. This simple workplace benefit supports healthier workforces and stronger businesses.
Swansea University: a case study in healthier workplaces
At Swansea University, offering the Cycle to Work Scheme has increased staff cycling to 14%. The University reports better employee wellbeing, higher productivity and reduced car parking pressures.
Jayne Cornelius, Sustainable Travel Officer, Swansea University told us:
“Implementing a year-round cycle-to-work scheme is a considerable advantage for our staff, as it allows them to sign up for a bike or accessories at any time to support their commute.
By raising our limit, we have empowered staff who travel from longer distances or navigate challenging terrain to cycle to work. For these staff, being able to choose a compliant electric bike means they can make these journeys.
As a proud signatory of the Healthy Travel Charter and a Gold-level Cycle Friendly accredited employer, having a Cycle to Work scheme is crucial for promoting active travel within our organisation.”
Prevention through participation
The Cycle to Work scheme is a simple, proven intervention that helps people move more, feel better, and perform better at work, all while saving money and supporting a greener economy.
Thousands of people who had never cycled before are now building activity into their daily routine, improving their health and wellbeing, and contributing to a stronger, more productive UK.
This is prevention in action, and clear proof that when more people can cycle to work, everyone benefits.
