The daily commute. What’s it like for you? Are you a driver, a walker, or a cyclist? Do you live close enough to roll out of bed and into the office, or do you need to leave half an hour, even an hour, to get from A to B?

Everyone’s commute is slightly different — but how you choose to get to work and back again can play a big part in your overall health and wellbeing, as well as affecting the world around you.

From improving mental and physical health, to saving money and saving the planet — cycling is one commuting choice we encourage our staff to make. Thanks to the Bike2Work scheme, an employee benefit we offer at Elliots Hill, this choice is made far easier.

“I have found the bike to work scheme a great extra to my employment, I have been able to buy a bike that has enabled me to compete in races all over the country and develop my love for the sport. I will often cycle to work, this not only helps with my health and fitness but also saves me a fortune on fuel. Since I got my bike on the bike to work scheme, I have cycled over 1900 miles and when I am not in work you will find me cycling around the county. My advice to anyone thinking about utilising the scheme is to do it, it is a win win, save money on your bike and save money on fuel!” Lucy Walwin, HR Coordinator.

But what exactly is Bike2Work? How does it work? And what are the benefits of commuting on 2 wheels?

What is Bike2Work?

Bike2Work is a free government initiative for employers and their employees, designed to ‘get more people cycling to work and living healthier lives’.

In a nutshell, we (the employer) pay for our employee’s bike and equipment, and they (the employee) hire it from us through salary sacrifice (where the cost is automatically deducted from their payslip over 12 or 18 months).

The best thing about salary sacrifice is that it allows you to save on costs by not paying tax and National insurance contributions on your monthly hire fee. In fact, through Bike2Work, you can save up to 48.25% on a new bike.

How does it work?

Bike2Work really is as easy as it sounds. Our staff simply follow a six-step process.

1. They sign up through an online form.
2. They receive a PIN number from us.
3. They choose their new bike and equipment and receive a written quote to submit to Bike2Work.
4. We receive an invoice and hire agreement for us both to sign.
5. We make the payment and receive the voucher.
6. They take the voucher and spend it! (Either in-person or online)

If you’re interested in Bike2Work, the initiative’s website has a savings calculator — we recommend using it to see just how much you can save.

The benefits of cycling to work

Health and wellbeing

There’s no denying the health and wellbeing benefits of cycling. A survey by Cycleplan found that 75% of people noticed a boost to their mental health after cycling. In the same survey, 45% of people noticed a significant improvement in their sleep after taking up cycling.

With jumping on the saddle proven to help de-stress and clear the mind — when better to cycle than on the way and way back from work? We often use our commute to gear us up for the day ahead or unwind after a busy day. Rather than sit in traffic, why not feel the wind in your hair (/your helmet) and embrace the endorphins?

And it’s not just your mental health that cycling benefits — it’s your physical health too. Cycling, of course, is a form of exercise and can vastly improve your fitness. Luckily, it’s low-impact and of moderate intensity, so you won’t turn up to work feeling like you’ve done a gym session, but you’ll still have reaped the benefits of being active. Through the Bike2Work scheme which we introduced in March 2021, our team have burnt through 476,000 calories…the equivalent of 1000 burgers!

We know that introducing physical activity into daily life can be difficult between work, family, and social commitments. Using your commute to introduce fitness to your day makes being active, easy.

Sustainability and the environment

Our awareness of our impact on the world has never been higher. Every day, we’re encouraged to make lifestyle changes that will encourage sustainable living.

Reducing our CO2 emissions is just one way we can help sustain our environment, and by swapping the car to cycle, we can make a major impact. So far this year, we have saved over 1500 lbs of carbon.

Even when taking the CO2 emissions of bike production into account, by cycling to work, you’re still creating more than ten times less CO2 emissions than a car (Cycling UK).

And it doesn’t stop there. By emitting fewer gases to the environment and generating less noise and air pollution than driving, you’re protecting the green spaces and wildlife around you and allowing nature to flourish.

There’s no denying that by cycling, you are making the world a healthier and happier place to live for everyone.

Time and money

Whilst, at first thought, cycling to work might sound more burdensome than driving, it can actually save you time and money.

The cost of maintaining a bike is far less than a car. In fact, according to Cyclescheme, switching to a bike for your journey to work can save you over £3,000 every year.

You may also find cycling to work saves you time. Think about it, no traffic, no petrol stops, no parking, no congestion. Cycling to work introduces ease and reduces effort.

So, whether our staff choose to cycle for fun, convenience, fitness or financial reasons — we’re proud to be one of over 400,000 employers signed up to Bike2Work, enabling our staff to enjoy the benefits of cycling at a reduced cost.

“The benefits of the cycle to work scheme was having a quality product without really noticing the payments for it. The bike is cheaper to buy through the bike to work scheme and there is no interest to pay on the monthly payments.

I purchased a hard tail mountain bike so although I may have only done around 150 miles, they have mostly been at Llys Yr Fran, and while out with the family using a trailer for the children. 

If you’re looking to get a new bike, then using the bike to work scheme is a “no brainer”. You may be able to afford a better quality product without noticing the money leaving your pay”. James Llewelyn, Team Leader.