Pedal for the Planet: The Positive Impact of Cycling to Work 

Megan Colborne
CycleSaver

As Earth Day approaches on the 22nd April, now is the perfect time to remind ourselves that the road to sustainability starts with everyday choices. 

Simple switches like bringing a reusable coffee cup to your favourite coffee shop, using tote bags for groceries, or buying second-hand clothes all contribute to a greener planet.

The same goes for your daily commute to and from work. 

Making the switch to cycling can have a massive positive impact – not just on your own physical and mental health, but on the health of the planet too.

The environmental benefits of cycling to work

1. A reduction in carbon emissions

The most obvious environmental benefit of cycling to work is the positive impact it has in the reduction of carbon emissions. 

In fact, a 2021 study conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford’s Transport Studies Unit, found that swapping out a car for active transport just one day a week can help tackle the climate crisis – saving as much as a quarter of personal CO2 emissions.

2. More green spaces 

Switching to cycling does more than reduce carbon emissions – it helps reshape our cities into greener, more sustainable spaces.

In fact, did you know that a single parking space designed for a car can fit around 10 bikes inside it? 

That means as more people choose active travel like cycling and walking over cars, the demand for large roads and parking spaces decreases – freeing up more space that can be transformed into parks, green corridors, and community gardens. 

3. Less traffic congestion and noise pollution

Choosing to cycle over using a car significantly reduces traffic congestion and noise pollution, making cities more liveable and pleasant for us all. 

With fewer cars on the road, congestion eases significantly – meaning shorter travel times and less idling of cars, which in turn cuts down on fuel consumption and emissions. 

Plus, that constant hum of car engines, honking, and acceleration is replaced by the quieter sounds of bicycle wheels – creating a more peaceful urban environment for everyone, including wildlife, and contributing to healthier, more vibrant communities.

Why should employers encourage green commuting?

Whether you’re a startup, SME or large corporation, transport undoubtedly plays a huge role in your business in one way or another – even if that’s just getting your employees from their homes to the office.

Companies looking to foster a more sustainable workforce should have a plan in place to help their employees make the green travel choice – helping them achieve their Net Zero goals, cutting costs for the business and improving staff turnover rates. 

The good news is, thanks to cycle to work schemes, it’s never been easier to encourage your employees to choose cycling.

The future of cycle to work schemes

Traditional cycle to work schemes are no new feat – making buying a bike more accessible and affordable to those who’d like to spread the cost over a few months through the process of salary sacrifice.

However, it’s no secret that the cycling industry is undergoing a significant shift in the UK at the moment, with bike ownership facing a massive decline. Recent numbers show that the UK sold just 1.45 million bikes in 2024 – a 2% fall from 2023’s already bleak numbers and the lowest bicycle sales since the 1970s.

At the same time, city bike sharing schemes like Lime, Forest, Santander Cycles, etc. are soaring in popularity – with availability in more than 48 towns and cities across the UK. 

These schemes provide a cost-effective solution to the pain points of bike ownership, so your employees don’t need to worry about costly maintenance and insurance policies, bike theft, or the need for additional storage space.

Employers need to adapt alongside this changing landscape in the UK and offer their employees the same opportunity to save money on city bike share as they would to purchase a bike.

Introducing CycleSaver

CycleSaver is the first and only exclusive provider of cycle to work benefits for city bike share, working together with providers like Lime, Forest, Santander Cycles, Beryl and Dott to bring salary sacrifice savings to employees.

With their flexible monthly and annual subscription options, CycleSaver enables employees to save up to 47% on ride bundles through the tax benefits of salary sacrifice.

Thank you Megan for your tips on how we can make more sustainable choices in our day today working life. If you’re interested in hearing more about the scheme, you can speak to your Client Relations Manager at Parallel or visit cyclesaver.co.uk. 

For more ideas or resources to support your colleagues’ finances & wellbeing, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – contact caroline.masterton@parallel-eb.co.uk // 020 8874 1230