How agile businesses in England can benefit from Cycling

The current pandemic has led to several innovations both large and small.

From Dyson inventing a ventilator within 10 days, to businesses transforming the way they operate.

Businesses are adapting at rapid speed to forge their way into the new digital world order to survive.

Yet one timeless form – the bicycle – has come into its own. 

Although known and enjoyed by society, many businesses up until now have not fully engaged with its benefits for health, happiness, productivity, and the environment. They are only now becoming wise to the impact it could have on employees and future economic survival.

Employees have embraced the bicycle as a form of transport during the crisis.

When we return to work, we need people to carry on cycling

Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP. 

In May, the Government announced £250m of emergency funding for councils to install cycle lanes as part of a £2bn investment, and gave guidance on how these lanes could be delivered. 

Having appeared as though they would not meet their original ambition of doubling cycling by 2025 after reading the latest Budget - within two months, they have the ideal conditions to make it happen. 

The cycle industry saw its biggest increase in sales for decades. Hundreds of thousands of bikes were brought from the shed to the local bike shop to be fixed, and people who would never class themselves as ‘cyclists’ took to their bikes.

Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival for Key Workers programme, and our free 3 month membership for health and social care workers has been hugely successful in supporting those who need to cycle to work during the current crisis. 

But what else is in it for businesses? 

By enabling and encouraging your employees to cycle, you’ll have a healthier, more resilient workforce. The evidence for this had been around for years, but with the coronavirus crisis, and the pressures of social distancing - cycling is now the best way for your employees to get to work. 

Active commuters take fewer sick days and feel more productive at work.

Cycle parking costs less to install and maintain than car parking at a workplace.

The Cycle to Work scheme allows employees to save on the cost of a new bike, but also enables the employer to save on their national insurance contributions. 

With the new guidance from HMRC, bikes over £1000 can now be purchased on the scheme - which is fantastic for those who require an adapted bike, an e-bike, or a cargo bike to carry children and collect the shopping. 

The benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks, various studies put this ratio as 31:1 to 415:1 depending on the benefits considered.

In cities across the country we’ve seen miles of temporary cycle lanes created to help address some of fears around cycling in the UK.

The benefits are clear, as is the case for investment.

Benefits for shops and businesses

Beyond your employees, enabling cycling can increase retail spend once we’re up and running again, as people who walk and cycle take more trips to the high street over the course of a month. Cycle parking can deliver five times the retail spend per square meter than car parking. Cycling is great for your bottom line.

Over the last months, we’ve realised what’s important in our lives. Our health and protecting the NHS, both of which can be preserved and achieved if we all cycle more.

Want to know more about how your business can be cycle friendly? Take our self assessment to start your accreditation process today.