Feature
Green Business Getting back
The last years have seen a major growth in cycling in the UK and the West Midlands. This takes many very visible forms – from leisure and sports riders to regular commuters, from families in parks to mountain bikers – it is difficult not to notice the surge. And as numbers grow, for many it has been hard to resist the urge to join in!
Today’s cycling boom For all of us there is great benefit in more exercise, more time spent outdoors and more time doing something sociable that doesn’t involve screens and sitting. Cycling growth is therefore a key indicator of individuals and groups addressing lifestyle issues. And what is good for people is generally good for business and employers too; bike riding makes people happy and happy staff means more effective working. And there is a proper route for employers to participate in this through HMRC cycle schemes for their staff. Many employers – but not enough – already offer this
perk to their staff, seeing the benefits of encouraging exercise, wellbeing and efficient travel to work.
on your bike
Adrian Passmore (pictured below), cycle retailer and manufacturer, reflects on why it is high time we all rode bikes more … and even get back to building our own bicycles.
As a salary sacrifice scheme, an employer is helping
staff manage and spread the purchase costs of bikes and related accessories. The heart of it when successful is employers taking a lead and making the offer to their people; it is a clear sign that you are thinking and caring about them. There are multiple schemes out there, but a good
starting place is
cyclescheme.co.uk for example. In our retail business we see both employers and staff lauding the initiative and its impacts; it brings footfall that leaves on two wheels. With the boom in cycling there has also
been great growth in organised events. For example, this coming September will see the first running of the Velo Birmingham Sportive event – a 100 mile closed road ride; 15,000 cyclists will roll out of the city centre on the day. This again is indicative of the growing love
of cycling in the city and beyond. Billed as a festival of cycling, it will further raise the profile of cycling in the region. And the Chamber is supporting this event in getting 100 businesses to enter teams and join in a fundraising campaign.
46 CHAMBERLINK February 2017
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