Cycling to work
There are many benefits to cycling to work, including physical and mental health boosts, saving money and reducing air pollution.
Equipment
The main piece of equipment you’ll need is a cycle to suit your journey, whether it’s two or three wheeled, electric or cargo loaded. If you’re unsure on what type of cycle you’ll need, many of Glasgow’s cycling organisations offer loans, or you can use nextbike, Glasgow’s city-wide cycle hire scheme. Buying a bike is also an option, and many organisations offer free or reduced price cycles to remove financial barriers to cycling.
You may also like to have:
- A high vis jacket or vest
- Helmet
- Front and rear lights
- A bell or horn
- Panniers to carry luggage
- Waterproof trousers, jacket and gloves
Once you have your equipment, you can plan your route, stay safe and keep your bike secure and if you need to, improve your cycling skills.
Mixing public transport and cycling
Doing a mix of public transport and cycling is also an option. All Scotrail trains have cycle storage areas, and for intercity trains you don’t need to book a space. Scotrail’s information on taking cycles on trains and cycling facilities at their stations will support you to plan your route.
Awaiting to board a train with cycles at Pitlochry Train Station.
Weather and cycle care
Cycling Scotland has tips on cycling in all weather, and our guide to DIY cycle maintenance and care will help you keep your cycle running and safe.
Your workplace
Check if your workplace has a Cycling Scotland Cycle Friendly Employer programme. This supports organisations to encourage cycling as a healthy, sustainable and accessible way to commute, and provides development fund and award scheme to support organisations to make it easier for their staff to cycle.
Cycle to Work Scheme
The Cycle to Work scheme helps you save money on your purchase of a new work bike, spreading the cost over monthly tax-free instalments taken from the employee’s gross salary through your employer. You pay less tax and National Insurance every month you’re paying off the cycle, and you spread the cost of buying a cycle into manageable monthly payments. Your employer benefits as they end up paying less employer National Insurance contributions.
How does the Cycle to Work Scheme work?
The basic steps of the Scheme are the same whichever the provider:
- Your workplace registers with a Scheme provider
- You choose the cycle you want
- Your employer pays for it
- You pay your employer back through monthly instalments taken through payroll
For most providers payments are made over 12 months and there is a cap of £1,000 you can spend on a cycle and accessories. Check with the provider as these do vary.
