Save time, save money and get fit with Green Commute Initiative
Switching to cycling can transform your commute into an enjoyable and rewarding way to start and end your day. Imagine swapping bumper-to-bumper traffic for an invigorating bike ride that gets you moving and leaves you feeling energised.
Cycling is a fantastic cardiovascular workout that strengthens your heart, lungs, and muscles while also helping to improve your endurance and stamina. Regular cycling increases your metabolic rate, aiding in weight management and reducing the risk of obesity-related health issues.
Additionally, the rhythmic nature of cycling can significantly reduce stress levels and enhance mental well-being by releasing endorphins, the body's natural mood-lifters. Commuting by bike is a brilliantly time-efficient way to get more of these health benefits in your busy day.
As well as exercise, cycling to work is an excellent way to enjoy some fresh air, get outside and clear your mind. You'll find that your daily ride gives you a mental boost, so you arrive at work focused and ready to tackle the day ahead. On the way home, it offers a valuable decompression period so you can leave the stress of work behind and arrive home refreshed. Plus, you’ll often find cycling is quicker than sitting in rush-hour traffic.
But the benefits of cycling extend beyond just you—they ripple out to the whole community and the environment. Each person who chooses to cycle means one less car on the road, which helps reduce traffic jams and makes the morning commute more pleasant for everyone. With fewer cars, there's also less pollution, which means cleaner air for us all to breathe and a healthier planet.
By biking to work, you’re contributing to making the streets quieter and cleaner, while encouraging improvements like better bike lanes and safer streets. So, not only do you get to enjoy a healthy start to your day, you’re also playing your part in building a more vibrant and sustainable community where you live and work.
Commuter walking her bike in the sunshine
(Image credit: Raleigh)
Get started with Green Commute Initiative
New bikes can be expensive, and if you have made up your mind to start cycling, you will want to do it straight away. The UK Cycle to Work scheme is a government initiative launched in 1999 to encourage more people to cycle to their workplaces by making it easier and more affordable to purchase bikes and cycling equipment. This program has successfully helped over a million people get into cycling, promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing traffic congestion.
Accessible to employees via participating employers, the scheme allows individuals to choose a new bike and any necessary accessories from approved retailers. The employer covers the initial cost, while the employee repays this amount through a salary sacrifice agreement, effectively spreading the cost and offering tax savings. This way, you can start cycling to work immediately on a shiny new bike without having to pay any upfront costs.
Green Commute Initiative – where everyone benefits
Three Reasons to Cycle to Work
(Image credit: Canyon)
Boosts Creativity: While it's well-known that cycling can improve physical health, it can also enhance creativity. Studies have shown that moderate aerobic exercise, such as cycling, increases blood flow to the brain, which can boost creative thinking and problem-solving skills. So, a bike ride to work might lead to more innovative ideas and solutions.
Reduces Sick Days: Employees who cycle to work tend to take fewer sick days. According to research, regular cyclists often have a stronger immune system and improved overall health, which can lead to fewer illnesses and, consequently, fewer days off work due to sickness.
Economic Savings: Beyond personal health and environmental benefits, cycling to work can have significant financial advantages. The cost savings extend beyond fuel—consider parking fees, wear and tear on a car, and public transport costs. Over a year, these savings can be quite substantial, making cycling an economically smart choice.
Green Commute Initiative is a leading provider of the Cycle to Work scheme and is the best way for employees to access the scheme. Green Commute Initiative is ethical and fair, making sure employees, employers and bike retailers all benefit from the scheme.
Here’s how it works: you simply pick out a bike and any accessories you need from a list of approved local bike shops or manufacturers. The cost needs to fit within a spending limit set by your employer, but don't worry—your employer will cover the upfront cost for you.
Then, you’ll pay it back gradually through a convenient salary deduction. This arrangement not only makes the payments manageable but also reduces the tax you pay during the repayment period.
The whole process is designed to be straightforward. Technically, you’re hiring the bike during the scheme, which keeps everything in line with HMRC rules. Green Commute Initiative takes care of all the paperwork, making sure everything runs smoothly and is hassle-free and ensures you make the maximum possible savings with no unfair fees tagged on at the end. It’s a win-win situation—easy, cost-efficient cycling that you can enjoy without any complicated arrangements.
So, whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just getting started, this scheme makes commuting by bike simple!
Become a green commuter and save time and money. Visit www.greencommuteinitiative.uk to start your cycling to work journey.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Hannah Reynolds interest in cycling began while studying for a degree in Sports Science at the University College Chichester and surrounded by elite level cyclists. She is now undertaking a PhD at Sheffield Hallam University investigating the use of e-bikes by older people.
A committed dabbler whose passion outweighed her talent Reynolds has competed across all disciplines of cycling bar BMX. In the very distant past she has been south-east road race champion, southern cyclo-cross champion and finished third in the European 24hr Solo mountain-bike champs in 2011. She was also the Fitness Editor of Cycling Weekly for 15 years.
Wout van Aert wins sensational Giro d'Italia stage nine over the gravel as Isaac Del Toro moves into pink
Demi Vollering crushes rivals on final stage to claim overall victory at Itzulia Women
