How was Cycle to Work Day for you?
How was Cycle to Work Day for you?
Posted on 8 Aug 2019
Since 1990 the percentage of the population that cycles to work has continued to increase year on year. According to a report released by the Department for Transport, the average bicycle miles travelled per cyclist per year has increased from 687 miles in 2002 to an impressive 1,144 miles in 2017!
As a nation, Britain continues to strive for successful cycling - in 2017, cyclists travelled 3.3 billion miles on British roads, 3% further than in the previous year, and 29% further than 20 years ago!
Encouraging more people to join the cycling movement
So, what is preventing more people from cycling to work? The Department for Transport found that the top two reasons that people don't cycle to work are road safety concerns and not having access to a bicycle.
In May 2019 the ACT launched a 4 part definitive guide to safer cycling series, which included elements such as how to avoid road collisions, how to dress appropriately and how to ride in different conditions. As more cyclists take to the roads the government has created initiatives to help improve cycling safety, such as Cambridge's Dutch-style roundabout which gives priority to cyclists over motorists. But is enough being done?
What is Cycle to Work Day?
Launched in 2012, Cycle to Work Day celebrates the UK Government's Cycle to Work scheme that started in 2011 hoping to encourage more people to get on their bikes and cycle to work. In 2018, more than 25,000 people took part in the initiative.
The annual event invites employers as well as individuals to sign up and reap the potential benefits of active commuting including increased workplace productivity, lower rates of sick leave and improved wellbeing.
There have been initiatives run up and down the country, for example commuters in London had the opportunity to travel to work for free on Santander bicycles (Boris bikes) on the 8th of August.
Whilst Cycle to Work has been successfully operating now for more than 20 years, seen improvements to the scheme (the recent inclusion of e-bikes), and has brought in new customers through the doors of the IBD a recent article in CIN questioned the role of third party Cycle to Work providers.
Has Cycle to Work Day had an impact on your shop? Let us know in the comments below.
An already established solution?
Don't own a bicycle or fancy an upgrade? Ride it away offers a retail finance solution that will allow you to pay for a bicycle in instalments. There are a range of APR's available from 0% APR to 15.9% APR and the duration of the loans vary from 6 months up to 48 months. Interest rates, terms and the products available will vary from store to store. To find your local bike shop that offers Ride it away retail finance visit their website here.