For employers - the benefits of cycling

A healthy workforce is a happy one. Research has demonstrated that regular cyclists are as fit and healthy as someone ten years younger. Not only does cycling improve physical health but mental health also benefits from regular exercise through the release of endorphins - the body’s own happy hormone.

People who cycle on a regular basis have also been noted to have less time off through illness and are better time keepers due to having a more predictable commuter journey time through avoidance of traffic and public transport delays.

The CycleToWork PLUS approach gives employers other benefits in addition to the kudos of encouraging a greener option of travel and health benefits for staff. By choosing our scheme you will be safe in the knowledge that those members of your staff choosing to cycle to work are competent and trained to do so through our urban cycle training courses. Our instructors will assess safety, attitude to commuting by bicycle and ability to judge traffic, ride safely and be considerate to other road users and pedestrians.

How the scheme works

A system called salary sacrifice enables your employees to acquire bicycles and accessories through their gross salary and crucially not their take home pay.  This means savings on income TAX and National Insurance contributions. And if your company can reclaim VAT then that means even more savings, up to 51%.

You buy the bikes and then 'hire' them to employees via a set period hire agreement, usually 12 or 18 months. Savings made by employers resulting from salary sacrifice NI contributions can be utilised to subsidise the other aspects of CycleToWork PLUS.

CycleToWork PLUS includes:

  • Set-up of back end admin system to calculate salary sacrifice and full admin support from OnYourBike

  • Finance options for employers for bike purchases

  • Bike try-out roadshows - we bring all kinds of bikes for your employees to try, even electric bikes

  • Urban Cycle training including initial assessment of skills and knowledge amongst staff of the hazards of cycling in busy traffic, cycling technique advice and safety training by accredited National Standards instructors

  • Training on the basics of bicycle set up and maintenance delivered by experienced Cytech qualified technicians

  • Instructor Training

  • Flexibility and choice to buy from 100s of independent shops across the UK

  • Consultancy on how to include cycling within a sustainable travel plan, how to maximise uptake of a cycling scheme, breakdown barriers to cycling how to carry out CO2 savings audits

  • Your employees get 20% discount from Cyclelife on-line store

If you can't find the answer you are looking for here then visit our cycle to work FAQs page by clicking here

Further guidance

HMRC guidance on salary sacrifice

HMRC guidance.pdf

Department for Transport cycle to work scheme guidelines

DfT guidelines.pdf

 

Registration

If you are interested and want to register your company please download the form below and
return it completed to
bikeright@c2c-support.co.uk 
or fax it to 0161 223 7804

Adobe PDF format

CTW PLUS registration.pdf

 

More than just cheap bikes

Research has shown that appropriate cycle training in urban environments can increase long-term take up of cycling by as much as 54%. Our belief is that inclusion of maintenance courses and provision of unbiased bike try-out road shows re-enforces this and enables people to make the right choice of bike and equipment in the first place and to then keep these in good shape throughout the hire period.

By including these elements in to your cycle to work scheme you will be seen as delivering best practice whilst also looking after your assets – keeping your people safe and healthy and the bikes in good condition. You will also free-up valuable car parking space, reduce your indirect CO2 emissions and increase staff loyalty by providing a valuable staff benefit.