CYCLE Solutions has developed its successful cycle-to-work scheme with the introduction of an innovative new fitness app, Ride Mapper.
Ride Mapper, which has been well received, is available to all scheme participants and uses advanced mapping software to track a user’s cycled route as well as help plan new routes. Alongside the mapping software, the app provides a wealth of supporting information.
Cycle Solutions is a government-backed scheme which encourages organisations to help employees adopt healthier and more environmentally friendly lifestyles by using bicycles as transport to and from work.
Steve Edgell, managing director, Cycle Solutions, says:
“There are numerous benefits for employers and employees who take part in the cycle-to-work scheme both in terms of the positive environmental impact of leaving the car at home and the fitness benefits of cycling every day.
“We designed the Ride Mapper app to be simple to use and we hope that it will be a positive influence on people who join the cycle-to-work scheme by showing them what they have achieved and the progress they are making on an ongoing basis, inspiring them to continue taking part.”
The app also includes a calorie counter to show the user how many calories have been burned per journey and even has a unique CO2 trackers. The tracker shows how much CO2 a user has saved by cycling instead of travelling by car for the route taken.
Last year the adoption of the cycle-to-work scheme increased by 11.6 percent from the previous year, with 183,423 organisations now actively participating. The growth of the scheme follows national trends that indicate cycling is becoming a more popular mode of transportation throughout the UK.
In 2014 cycling traffic grew by 13.8 percent according to the Department for Transport. This equates to approximately 3.25 billion miles travelled by bicycle last year, more than bus or motorcycle mileage.
Cycle Solutions works with employers to help them by managing key parts of their cycle-to-work scheme, minimising the administrative burden on businesses. Employers but the bikes from cycle Solutions and then hire them back to employees. By sacrificing some of their salary, employers save on income tax and national insurance contributions. Employees will typically save between 31-48 percent of the retail cost of the bikes and accessories.
The scheme also has some positive implications for employees. Research indicates that exercise makes employees happier, more productive and less stressed within the workplace.
By cycling to and from work participants can burn up to 4,000 calories a week and reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes by up to 50 percent. Financially the scheme can save users hundreds of pounds on petrol costs every year too.
Amie Filcher is an editorial assistant at HRreview.