FEATURE
and some accessories as well, such as lights or locks, which are necessities particularly for those that commute.” One of the most significant changes
to the scheme came in 2019. This saw the Department for Transport update its guidance to remove the £1,000 cap, significantly expanding the scope of the scheme.
This was something that the Alliance
heavily supported and lobbied in favour of. “It’s improved accessibility for large parts of the public, especially with e-bikes and adaptable bikes which have come in and are still very expensive to some,” says Last.
“Removing the cap and championing for that change has enabled us to set off an e-bike movement as well, which is brilliant. “The first bike I had was a Raleigh Activator, which was a gift for Christmas. It cost about £250 which my parents couldn’t necessarily afford and it was a bit of a stretch really. That bike now would probably be worth £700 because the cost of manufacturing has significantly risen, so removing that cap was a very important, natural progression for the scheme to make.”
JORDAN ON UNSPLASH PHIL HEARING ON UNSPLASH
Stable start to 2024 Data from the Cycle to Work Alliance shows that 39,821 scheme certificates were issued in Q1 of 2024, by Alliance members, with more than 11,000 employers accessing the benefit. This was down 6.19% when compared to the same period of 2023, but shows relative stability against the backdrop of a challenging picture in the wider market. “We’re continuing to attract
new cyclists who want to, or need to, commute to work in a more sustainable, cost-effective way,” says Last.
“Running a car, for example, is
getting more expensive, as are other commuting options such as trains.
“It also links in with the green agenda, particularly for Gen Z employees, who are more conscious than ever about carbon footprints, carbon offsetting, and how they can be greener and contribute to a better planet. “These are the sort of trends we’re seeing with people now wanting to cycle to work, as well as needing cycle to work as well.”
www.bikebiz.com
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