# Pedal into spring: making your workplace more cycle friendly

_A blog by Katharine Brough, Head of Grant Funding and Partnerships, Cycling Scotland_.

As Spring arrives in Scotland, more people are cycling. Longer days and more sunlight make it even easier to enjoy all the benefits of active travel. Cycling can boost well-being, saves money, cuts emissions, and creates healthier workplaces. Yet, despite record investment in cycle routes, many organisations taking the [Growing Climate Confidence checkup](https://climateconfident.scot/checkup) don’t currently offer a Cycle to Work scheme. 

### **Why cycling to work matters**

Whilst the main motivator for cycling is to improve health and well-being, feedback from people who cycle in Cycling Friendly organisations across Scotland highlights the transformational impact of having safe and well-connected routes to cycle to and from work. The affordability of cycling is also a key consideration for many people who choose to travel by bike for short journeys.

### **How the Cycle to Work scheme works**

The scheme lets employees buy a bike and accessories tax free through salary sacrifice, with no upfront cost. Costs are paid back over a year or longer, from an employee’s monthly/weekly salary, making it much easier to manage the costs. Employers also save on National Insurance. Depending on your workplace and number of staff, the scheme has mutually financial benefits for both employer and employee. NHS health boards support the scheme, including affordable e-Bike options.

If a formal scheme feels complex, you may want to consider:

*   Discounts with local bike shops
*   Long term bike loans
*   Pay up schemes for easier access

### **How to get started**

*   **Check if your workplace has a scheme** – Ask finance or payroll teams. If one exists, spread the word.
*   **Raise awareness** – Encourage colleagues to share their cycling stories.
*   **No scheme? Get support** – Contact [Cycling Friendly](mailto:CyclingFriendly@cycling.scot), they can advise on providers and local options.
*   **Need inspiration?** – [Cycling Scotland’s data](https://cycling.scot/news/investment-in-landmark-cycle-routes-delivering-record-share-of-journeys-by-bike-in-scotland) shows how better infrastructure in Glasgow and Edinburgh is helping more people cycle.

Cycling **supports health, sustainability, and workplace morale**. Keen to see a real-life example? Watch this cycling story from High Life Highlands.

https://youtu.be/kquq9TH\_INY

[Cycling Scotland](https://cycling.scot/) is Scotland’s national cycling charity. Our Cycling Friendly programme offers a wider range of support to help make it easier for staff to cycle to work, and at work.

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)