Cycling to work: 10 reasons why employers should have a cycle to work scheme

This article is part of a Personnel Today Buyers’ Guide, a free, independent resource for employers thinking of implementing a scheme. Register now to access all cycle to work content.

Cycle to work schemes offer employers and employees a raft of benefits.

1. Save money
Typically, organisations can save 13.8% of the total value of salary sacrifice because of reductions in the amount of National Insurance Contributions due.

2. Fitter, healthier staff – improved productivity
One study found that people who cycle to work experienced a 39% lower rate of all-cause mortality compared to those who did not – even after adjustment for other risk factors, including leisure-time physical activity.

3. Improved attendance
As well as improving physical health, cycling has a positive affect on emotional health, improving levels of wellbeing, self-confidence and tolerance to stress.

4. Environmental benefits
The average person making a typical daily car commute of four miles each way would save 0.5 tonnes of CO2, or 6% of their annual carbon footprint, by switching to cycling. Good news for your corporate social responsibility.

5. Reduced parking and congestion
Nottingham City Council is leading the way on this but the workplace parking levy will affect many in the coming years. A levy of £253 per year per workplace parking space in Nottingham will be made in 2012, rising to around £350 per annum by 2015. By reducing cars in the car park, perhaps you could repurpose or even sell some land?

6. Employer branding, recruitment and employee welfare
Cycle to work is good for employer branding and may therefore help your appeal to potential recruits. It demonstrates concern for the welfare of an organisation’s employees.

7. Retention
A cycle scheme, like other salary sacrifice schemes, can act as one of those reasons why people may postpone changing jobs.

8. Low- or zero-cost implementation
Local authorities, which have budgets to promote cycling, may well provide bike sheds free of charge or at reduced cost.

9. Capital expenditure
The cost of cycling equipment can be treated as capital expenditure and therefore employers can claim capital allowances against it.

10. Broader benefits strategy
Some providers will offer your cycling-to-work employees further discounts on items such as children’s bikes and sunglasses. Cycle to work can fit neatly into a broader reward and benefits strategy.

Register now to read Ten reasons why employers might apply the brakes, a guide to some of the reasons why a cycle to work might not be a good idea for some organisations.

One other article is available without registration: Legal Q&A: Cycle-to-work schemes

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