The future of work is now. One positive outcome of Covid19 has been the breaking down of barriers to more flexible working arrangements. As workers now return to the office a recent studiy carried out by NUI Galway has revealed that a resounding 95% of workers are in favour of some form of remote working. Hybrid working options are proving popular, with teams initially coming back into the office two or three days a week. Commuting options are also being reassessed, with many not willing to return to the long hours wasted in traffic congestion and the fact that we have all become more accustom to more time spent outdoors.
The Work / Life Shift
Our attitudes to our working lives has taken a seismic shift during the pandemic. Businesses had to quickly adopt new initiatives and technologies to ensure their workforce could maintain productivity whilst working remotely. But workers too, had to adapt to this new ‘Norm’ of commuting from the bedroom to the kitchen and embracing more outdoor activities as a means of escaping being ‘Cooped Up’ at home. Hybrid working for many now means looking for commuter alternatives, two wheeled transportation (bikes, e-bikes and e-cargo bikes) are increasing in popularity.
The Rise of the Bike
The health benefits of cycling is well documented, increased cardiovascular fitness, improved joint mobility, decreased stress levels and overall improved mental wellbeing. The popularity in cycling has also been driven by the fear of infection. The ‘I know where my handlebars have been’ idea that even if you are sharing a bike it is still a lot less risky than sitting in a confined space with many other people. 2020 saw an increase in bicycle sales globally, newly released data from AIB revealed an increase of 32% in bike sales nationally*. The surge is bike sales has also impacted on the number of commuters looking at more affordable options to purchasing bikes, according to Iain Cameron from Hubex Ltd. Incorporating Bike to Work Ltd. ‘The increased demand for bikes has led to a higher demand for employees availing of the Bike to Work scheme. We have seen a significant increase in the number of people applying to the scheme, proving that a tax free bike for commuting has become a clear favourite amongst commuters.’
Last Mile Delivery with Cargo Bikes
Switching from vans to an e-cargo bike for faster deliveries, lower deliver costs and zero emissions is a great option for inter-city deliveries. Not only are they good for the environment but they are also good for traffic, replacing trucks and vans on the road for short ‘Last Mile Deliveries’, cargo bikes can in effect reduce the load on traffic in any city. Cheaper than traditional forms of delivery, the cost of maintenance is a fraction of what it would cost for maintenance on a fleet, not to mention the health benefits for your workers. Also consider the multiple uses of a cargo bike, it’s a simple, convenient, hassle free and fun way of bring the kids to schools.
Glide through traffic on an E-bike
E-bikes extend the distance possible for commuting, with even relaxed pedalling you can expect 22-50 miles on a single charge for most e-bikes. In some cases you can go even farther, thus making it possible to commute longer distances. The Bike to Work scheme now covers up to €1,500 for an e-bike and accessories, enabling you to climb hills with ease and glide through the traffic to arrive faster without being over-exerted.
The slow but steadily increasing trickle of commuters returning to work in the city is a very welcome sight. With business reopening our cities can look forward, tentatively, to emerging from lockdown and providing a livelihood for its people. Of course we are not quite out of the woods yet but it is positive to see that, for the most part, everyone is working towards a better future. With hybrid working options and commuters opting for more sustainable transport choices our future could be very bright indeed.
**AIB aggregated customer debit and credit card transactions between January 2019 and September 2020
**Bike to Work Ltd, total increase in number of customers registering for the Bike to Work voucher redemption from 2019 to 2020
