On Your Bike

UK government’s cycle2work initiative is packed with numerous benefits. Naturally, it is one the most sought after employee benefit schemes in UK. In the most fundamental terms, the scheme can be defined as an initiative that seeks to promote cycling while going to office. This is one way by which the government wishes to promote green transport plan. In return, the employees get considerable exemptions on annual taxes and tax free bikes. The scheme offers multiple benefits. First of all, it allows a person to stay fit and healthy. In today’s fast moving life, one finds difficult to take out time for exercise. The exhausting schedule comprising home to office and vice versa, leaves no time for going to gym. Here, cycling comes as a rescuer. You can very well leave the gym and become a regular biker to office. There are numerous health benefits of cycling. Not only does it improve the overall wellbeing of people but also helps to tone down body physique.

Cycling also offers environmental benefits. As it is a fuel-free means of transport, there are no toxic emissions. Moreover, it doesn’t even take half the materials to manufacture a bicycle as compared to the manufacture of car or motorbikes. Cycle2work scheme has helped a lot in reducing the organizational carbon footprint. Its contribution in combating recent climate concerns would be remarkable if the scheme is taken as a global initiative. Even the social benefits of cycling are too many. In general, a motorbike takes almost double whereas a car takes up to six times more space than a bicycle. Promoting cycling as an alternative means of commuting would help a lot to reduce congestion from already overcrowded cities. Parking would not remain a complex problem in such a utopian society, free from excessive levels of pollution.

The cost benefits are obvious. Cycle needs no fuel and lesser maintenance cost. It relieves from the dependency upon public transport. Gradually, the overall expenditure is bound to reduce. With this tax saving scheme, one not only saves on National Insurance Contributions but also saves as much as 42% on a new bike purchase. The scheme is already a fad in UK and it is available for all the public and private sector employees at most of the cycle shops in London. However, people who are self-employed cannot benefit under this scheme. This is a great initiative taken by the UK government. It remains for the people to take a break from cycle hire services and own a bike of their own by taking as much benefit from the scheme as they can. Moreover, it should be promoted across the globe to reduce the pressure upon conventional fuel resources.

On Your Bike The Vaults, Montague close, London Bridge, London, SE1 9DA, Phone: 020 7378 6669 Email: london@onyourbike.com

On Your Bike 33 - 40 Bradford Street, Birmingham, B5 6HX, Phone: 0121 666 6933 Email: birmingham@onyourbike.com