With finances under pressure and New Year's resolutions to get fit starting to crumble - now may be the right time to consider a cycle to work scheme!  These schemes are not only effective for staff health but can also save them money. Or, if your organisation already has a scheme, but it’s underutilised read on for tips to drive employee interest.

I’ve had the privilege of being involved with cycle to work schemes since their inception. Over the years it’s been rewarding to see them develop and have a positive impact on staff and businesses alike. Currently, employees are facing a greater threat to their financial wellbeing. As employers, you can help relieve this stress by providing employee benefits.

The basics

Cycle to work schemes are one of the most recognisable salary sacrifice benefits available on the market. And, with the Halfords scheme within the Sage Employee Benefits app it is fast and simple to roll-out and make staff aware.

Salary sacrifice programmes are a convenient way to make life more affordable for your employees and there are savings to be made for employers too. With a cycle to work scheme, employers can provide new bikes to staff via affordable monthly payments. Not only will you recover the full cost of the bike, but you’ll also generate a NIC saving up to 15.05%* per employee per year. 

Encouraging staff to take the bike instead of the car will help reduce your company’s carbon emissions. Every employee who switches to cycle commuting cuts down on air pollution and produces ten times less CO2 emissions than a car, helping you achieve your ESG goals.[1]

These salary sacrifice schemes are government protected, and make it easy for your employees to get a bike between 33.25%* and 48.25%* cheaper, while spreading the cost. What’s more, it’s completely free for employers and can be set up online in a few quick and easy steps.

How to increase adoption 

1. Get the word out

Your awareness campaign should highlight the fact that anyone can get involved with cycling, at any level. People can enjoy cycling as a leisure activity, or a simple way to get from A to B. You could recruit employee champions to share why they enjoy cycling or organise fun challenges for a bit of friendly competition. Senior leaders can have a huge impact on setting an example when it comes to healthier behaviours, so make sure everyone is on board.  Download the free posters from your Administration Hub to help promote your scheme around the building.

2. Make it accessible

The scheme can be simply added to your Sage Employee Benefits platform and app making it so simple for your staff to get involved.  The scheme must be open to everyone (it's part of the Government rules) so this really is a scheme for everyone.  Staff agree to a simple monthly salary sacrifice (taking directly from their pay) so they don't have to worry about remembering payments etc., and the savings can be huge!

 

3. Quantify the benefits

As with other forms of exercise, employees may know that cycling to work is a healthy thing to do but have yet to take it up, which may be due to a whole host of reasons. It might be worth looking at different motivators and encouraging them to put a figure on how it will improve their life.

For example:

• Save £x over a year – this could be a combination of savings on a new bike and safety equipment via a cycle to work scheme. In addition, they could work out how much they’re currently spending on bus fare, petrol, parking, car maintenance etc.
• Burn x calories – many people struggle to find time for exercise, which puts them at an increased risk of weight gain and subsequent health issues. Cycle commuting (even one or two days a week) is an easy way to make exercise part of the daily routine and can help employees achieve their health goals.
• Save x minutes not sitting in traffic – especially for urban commuters, cycling is often the quickest way to get around. And it’s a great chance to explore traffic and pollution-free routes like local cycle paths.

4. Onsite facilities

Not all businesses will be able to install facilities such as showers and changing rooms, but it’s important to try and make provisions where possible. Secure bike storage via mobile bike racks provides peace of mind. Flexible start times could reduce anxiety around cycling commutes. Lockers will provide a space for the excess equipment.

*Figures correct at time of publication. Please check current tax and NI tables.

Get in touch with your Account Manager today to discuss adding this popular benefit to your Sage Employee Benefits platform.

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[1] European Cyclists’ Foundation, https://ecf.com/news-and-events/news/how-much-co2-does-cycling-really-save