Council staff to benefit from new cycling scheme

Release Date:  13-Jun-2008

The council's new Cycle to Work scheme, which aims to increase the number of council employees who cycle to work each day,  will be launched at next week's Bristol's Bike and Walk to Work Breakfast.

The initiative allows employees to get a new bike for work - valued at up to £1,000 - at a discount rate. The cost is taken in instalments from the employee's salary before tax and National Insurance is calculated. The savings can be worth as much as 40% of the cost of the new bike.

There is no cost to the council in operating the scheme. The project is backed by the government and HM Revenue and Customs and will be administered by the national Cyclescheme organisation.

Councillor Terry Cook, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Involvement and the city council's Member champion for cycling, said: “The council's ambitious new Cycle to Work scheme will allow our employees to take advantage of some real cost savings on the purchase of bicycles and related equipment.

“Many of the council's employees already choose to cycle to work and I'm confident that this scheme will make a real difference to the way people chose to travel to work,  encouraging even more staff to get on their bikes. I would strongly encourage other employers to consider offering similar schemes.”

The Bike and Walk breakfast takes place on College Green on June 17th from 7.30am to 9.30am. It's a popular annual event and gives those commuters cycling or walking to work the opportunity to enjoy a free breakfast

Other attractions include free bike safety checks and blood pressure checks. There will also be electric and folding bikes on show, plus displays from local cycling and walking groups.

The success of the Bike & Walk Breakfast is  down to the close collaboration and support of Bristol City Council, Bristol Primary Care Trust, the Soil Association and the University of Bristol.

Author:   Matt Smith, 0117 922 3332

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