Now more than ever before cycling represents a conscious decision for sustainable and healthy living. If your company has taken the first step by registering for the Bike to Work Scheme the second step is to promote, educate and encourage your employees to a healthier lifestyle by cycling to work.
A Bike to Work scheme is a step in the right direction to promoting a healthier workforce, to support this employers should look at providing:
- Safe, secure and accessible bicycle parking facilities
- Good quality locker and changing facilities
- Bicycle repair services on site, even a mobile repair service once every couple of months.
- Inspire more employees to take us cycling by introducing rewards or incentives
By promoting cycling across the company, your businesses can avail of the following cost savings and economic benefits:
Cost Savings.
For Employer
Cycling reduces costs for businesses in relation to company cars and business trips. Your company will also save up to 11.05% PRSI on each bike purchased. If you have not yet registered for the Bike to Work scheme, you can do so HERE
For Employees
Through using the Cycle to Work scheme your employer can help you purchase a brand new bike and safety equipment worth up to €1,250 for a regular bike, and up to €1,500 for an electric bike. With salary sacrifice you pay back the cost of your bike and gear over a 12 month period with savings up to 52% (depending on your tax bracket) on the retail price of the bike and accessories. If you would like to find out just how much you would be saving, check out our Bike to Work Calculator HERE
Parking Costs
Bike parking facilities require less space, approx. 6-7 bicycles can be parked in the space required to park a single car on average (approx. 12 m²). Switching more employees to cycling will mean less parking will be required, great news and a great cost saving for the business.
As businesses are becoming more environmentally conscious they are often looking for ways to cut both their direct and indirect emissions. Cutting energy use, transport costs (think last mile delivery with e-cargo bikes) and business travel will reduce overall costs as well as carbon emissions. Customers are increasingly more aware of sustainability issues and demand to purchase from companies that are more environmentally friendly. So developing a bike culture in your company will not only save you money but will also boost your reputation and boost your bottom line
Single car journeys are one example of an indirect emission, switching cars for bikes is a great way to help reduce your company's carbon footprint.
Employee Absence
We all know that cycling a bike is a fantastic way to get exercise, cycling can help lower our risk of developing serious illnesses such as stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also help strengthen our calves, glutes, quadriceps and upper body. Sometimes finding the time to exercise with the normal demands of work and family life can be challenging. By promoting cycling to work, you ar are promoting a healthier workforce as cycling is an excellent way to get a daily workout.
A study from the Dutch Ministry of Transport (2009), provides evidence that employees who cycle to work are ill less often (up to 50% less). Just one less sick day per year equates to savings of €224 per employee per year in the Netherlands.
Productivity
Research has shown that even moderate daily exercise has been shown to improve brain performance, increase memory and learning. Cyclists are fitter in mind and in body than other commuters and businesses enjoy greater productivity from employees who travel by bike. With employees cycling on a daily basis, regular and e-bike, whilst it wont turn them into scholars overnight it will improve their job performance.
Cyclists also get a 'Mood Boost' that will result in a more positive outlook. In short, cycling to work can actually turn an everyday commute into a mild type of therapy, it has been shown to lower stress, alleviate symptoms of depression, improve sleep patterns and reduce anxiety.
Employees who cycle to work are not only more productive but happier.
