Encouraging your employees to cycle to work is a great way to keep staff healthy and productive while working towards your sustainability and wellbeing targets. And while your staff may be keen to give it a go, without a little guidance it’s likely they’ll be unsure where to start and fall into cycling misconceptions like ‘it’s too expensive to buy a bike’.
At Jump, we’re experts in engaging employees in a range of sustainable behaviours in the workplace, including sustainable travel, energy saving and health and wellbeing. We’re here to reassure you that cycling to work can be easy, especially with excellent suppliers of the Cycle to Work Scheme, Cycle Solutions. Joining a Cycle to Work scheme could help you and your colleagues to crush excuses not to ride to work.
Why cycle?Save cash
The average 7 mile commute by car costs over £350 a year in petrol alone. In London, commuters using the tube spend a minimum of £1,320 a year on tube fares, and that’s if they live in zones 1-2. For many of us, cycling is a considerably cheaper option.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Getting your heart rate up for just one 30 minute session of exercise a day can play a huge role in boosting your mood and tackling depression. As well as feeling better in yourself, cycling to work could also increase your productivity. Studies have shown that employees who exercise before or after work have improved concentration, sharper memory, faster learning, enhanced creativity and lower stress levels.
Burn calories
Riding a bike can help you achieve a healthier lifestyle. By getting your heart rate up 5 times a week you are 50% less likely to suffer from a stroke, heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Plus, cycling to work 5 days a week burns 4,089 calories per week, so if you’re someone who struggles to fit in exercise around a hectic lifestyle, cycling to work is a great way to get exercise done. Time to say goodbye to overpriced gyms and spend more of your summer outside enjoying the weather!
Cut Carbon
Cycling produces zero emissions! In just 6 months the Jump pilot at Bournemouth University helped staff to avoid 7 tonnes of CO2 emissions by encouraging members to travel to work using sustainable methods or transport rather than driving a car.As a cyclist, the only fuel you’ll need to buy is food – aka the perfect excuse for a second breakfast. Bicycles also require only a fraction of the materials and energy required to make a car, which is good news for employers as well, because more bikes = less need for parking spaces.
On your bike! – how to get started
Cycle Solutions provides a Cycle to Work scheme that is completely free for employers to set up and offers an excellent way to engage and incentivise employees in sustainability and wellbeing. Through the scheme employees can cover the cost of a tax-free bike through a salary sacrifice, saving on average 39% of the costs. They can then plan their routes and monitor their performance with a ride mapper app and start reaping the benefits of huge savings and a healthier lifestyle. A win-win for everyone!
Visit the Cycle Solutions website for more information.
