It may not be the news that car salesmen or driving schools in Derby want to hear, but bike retailers are certainly pleased after they have been giving a boost of more than £147,000 in business from Derbyshire County Council’s ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme.
One member of the county council who has already benefited from the scheme is Anne Wareing. She has taken part in the salary sacrifice scheme which helps staff earn money that can be used to buy a brand new bike and safety equipment up to the value of £1,000.
276 staff have signed up to the scheme which will allow them to pay for their bikes directly from their salary whilst also saving on income tax and National Insurance.
Local bicycle businesses in Derbyshire are reaping the benefits and have been signed up to supply the goods to other schemes around the UK.
Chesterfield’s JE James are one of the companies are benefitting from the scheme. Manager James Dean Poole said: “We’ve received 63 orders through the Cycle to Work scheme – probably from people who wouldn’t otherwise have bought a bike – which is great.
“Any boost in business is always welcome and the scheme is an ideal way for people to get riding.”
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Technology and Recycling, Councillor John Allsop, said: “We’re committed to reducing the county council’s carbon footprint and this scheme helps staff to travel in a more environmentally-friendly way and keep fit at the same time.
“It’s proving popular with staff and that means a welcome boost for the retailers too.”