July 7, 2020
Surge in Cycle to Work scheme participants shows British are shifting their transport habits
The number of employees joining the Cycle to Work scheme has more than doubled as commuters make plans for returning to the workplace, amid growing concerns about the safety of using public transport as lockdown eases.
New data from the Cycle to Work Alliance shows that in June there was a more than 120% increase in the number of people joining the scheme compared to the previous year. This built on a 52% increase in scheme participation in May 2020, compared to the previous year.
The surge of employees wanting to access the scheme, which allows commuters to obtain bicycles and cycling equipment tax free through salary sacrifice, shows many people are actively preparing to embrace cycling as more of the UK prepares to come out of lockdown.
This comes following the landmark announcement from the Transport Secretary of a £2bn package to help increase cycling and walking capacity, and calls from the Prime Minister for more workers to take-up cycling and ensure they get to work as safely as possible as lockdown measures are gradually lifted.
The Cycle to Work Alliance, made up of the leading cycling providers, is now calling for the government to support this shift towards cycling and help more people get back to work by extending the scheme to include the self-employed.
To read our full press release, please click here: Surge in Cycle to Work scheme participants shows British are shifting their transport habits