Benefits of being a Cycle Friendly Employer
What are the benefits of being a Cycle Friendly Employer?
Whether you want to lose weight, improve your fitness or simply become healthier, cycling is one of the most accessible forms of exercise to integrate into daily life. Active, sustainable travel by bike can save you time, money and increase your fitness all before you even get to work in the morning.
The increasing levels of physical inactivity in our daily lives means a rise in the cost of employee absenteeism, reduced productivity and increasing stress levels. The significant benefits of walking and cycling to work can contribute considerably to alleviating these problems.
Recent figures show that someone dies every 15 minutes as a direct result of physical inactivity. (The burden of physical activity-related ill health in the UK, Allender S, Foster C, Scarborough P, Rayner, M. J Epidemiol Community Health 2007; 61: 344-8) (British Heart Foundation). Cycling is the perfect way to accumulate the recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days (Lets Make Scotland More Active, Scottish Executive, February 2003). By using your bike for leisure or as a form of transport you can gain an array of associated health benefits.
According to a report from the British Medical Association cycling at least 20 miles a week halves the risk of a heart attack (Morris, BHF). Cycling also reduces the risk of other cardio vascular disorders, obesity, diabetes and some types of cancer.
Cycling as a form of regular physical activity also has benefits in terms of improving mental health and well-being (The World Health Report: Reducing risks, promoting healthy life. WHO 2002) and can sometimes be the only opportunity people have in their working day to enjoy being outdoors in the fresh air and sunlight.
People of almost any fitness level and age can begin cycling. As a low weight bearing activity it does not place stress on joints and is a great cardiovascular workout. The knowledge of being environmentally friendly, cutting travel costs and investing in your own health means that it is an extremely attractive lifestyle option.
Cycling is not only the healthiest way to get to work it is also the cheapest form of transport, along with walking. However, in Scotland 69% of people travel to work by car (Scottish Transport Statistics, Scottish Executive, 2005), 86% of which are driver only (www.chooseanotherway.com)
Many organisations’ however are becoming increasingly aware of issues which affect the way we travel to work. Congestion, pollution and pressure on car parking are just some of the problems which must be addressed.
In terms of the environment, cycling can be an attractive option in terms of reducing individual energy consumption and is a pollution free, sustainable mode of transport which has the potential to greatly reduce the growing congestion on our roads. Research shows that car occupants are exposed to 2-3 times the level of pollution of cyclists. (ETA 1997, Road User Exposure to Air Pollution) (Environmental Transport Association)
Cycling is also a very inexpensive form of transport to work. The recent introduction by the Government of ‘Cycle to Work’ schemes mean savings of up to 50% off the price of a new bike, as well as equipment such as helmets and lights, is available through employers. The salary sacrifice scheme means that the cost of a bike can be deducted from an employees gross monthly salary which means savings on tax and N.I. The employer can also benefit by saving 12.8% on NI contributions.
In terms of running costs it only costs 5p per mile to travel by bicycle as opposed to £1.24 per mile by car, not including depreciation and parking costs. (Figures taken from AA average of 1000 commuting miles per year)
Cycling to work can also be much quicker than taking the car, especially in terms of beating traffic jams. As a cyclist can average 10 miles per hour, even on a congested road, it is the perfect way to beat traffic jams and pollution whilst keeping active at the same time.
There are numerous ways that cycling to work can be encouraged by employers, many of which are simple and inexpensive to implement.
