Will your next car be a bike?

Before you spend thousands of pounds on a new car, stop and think: Do you need one? If you’re mostly working from home and only using your car for local journeys, you could actually spend your money on a good quality bike, and ditch the car altogether.

We know this is a scary thought. We’re all conditioned just to get in the car and go. Choosing a bike means more effort, a longer journey time and a bit of thought about where you might shower and change at the other end. But for many people, it’s far more achievable than you think – it just takes a bit of a change in thinking and planning.

Putting in the effort

Of course, you’re not likely to go from a sedate car driver to a Tour de France expert. You might not even get a fancy road bike – the popularity of electric bikes is increasing, and as well as getting you out of the car, they can deliver significant health benefits. Even though you are being assisted by the electric motor, you are still putting in as much effort as if you were walking quickly, so your heart rate is elevated and you’re getting a good workout.

Even better, people who get a bike find out that it’s really good for their mental health – being out and about, feeling like they are getting some exercise and being out in the fresh air rather than stuck inside a car. They also report that they choose the bike more often – so not just for the commute or a quick trip to the shops, but just for a cycle ride in the sun with family and friends.

How can businesses get involved?

Encouraging your employees to cycle to work is a great thing to do if you want to reduce your impact on the climate. You can take part in Cyclescheme, for example, which is an employee benefit that saves up to 39% on bikes and accessories. Payments are taken from the payroll, making it a tax-efficient option. The scheme covers a wide range of bikes, so employees can get a standard road bike, a cargo bike or an e-bike as part of the scheme. Your business will save money on car leasing, fuel payments and road tax.

Make sure you make it easy for people to choose to cycle. If you can, arrange secure bike parking and consider putting in a shower so that people can change when they get to the office. Organise awareness days, or have a reward and recognition scheme for non-drivers to help encourage people to get out of the car and on their bike.

And finally, don’t forget that fitter employees are often more productive employees. They may take fewer sick days because they are healthier in general and they will be more motivated to stay with your business – as with all these climate-related choices, they are as much about the practical benefits to your business as they are about the environmental benefits to your community.

To find out more about schemes and support to encourage your business to be greener, contact us today.

Please note: This is not meant to constitute professional advice. It is generic guidance only and things may have changed since it was written –please always seek specific & tailored advice for your circumstances.