Redditch, UK: Oakland International is “delighted with employee uptake” of its Cycle2Work scheme.
The scheme offers financial and health benefits, for employees. Statistics indicate that most journeys undertaken in England are relatively short with 25% of trips under 1 mile, and 71% under 5 miles.
Cycle to work schemes were introduced in 1999 by the government as a way of encouraging more commuters to ditch the car in favour of cycling to work.
Vera Bruntink , sustainability manager, Oakland International, said: “Oakland’s Cycle2Work scheme offers team members the opportunity to buy a bicycle and spread the cost through monthly salary deductions over the course of a year, making it convenient and less of a burden than one large expense, and as deductions are made before tax savings on the bike’s cost can be anywhere between 30-40%.”
“We have had team members spending up to £75 per week on taxis just to get to and from work, when you compare that to £100 per month for just twelve-months to pay for the Cycle2Work scheme, they are making significant financial savings.
“In addition, there are many personal health benefits associated with cycling including helping with weight loss, building muscle and strengthening the immune system, as well as helping people to live longer. According to a Dutch study every minute you spend on a bike increases your life expectancy by one minute, so it makes sense to get on a bike!”
“Team members were able to purchase electric bikes as well as normal bikes, which lower the barrier to cycling significantly, particularly to those who live in hilly areas,” Bruntink said.
“The scheme will be open again in the spring, and periodically after that, so that more people will have the chance to purchase a bike to travel to work.”
Pictured is Frenchie Herjean, frozen supervisor at Oakland
