How to get 50,000 new commuters on bicycles…
I think it’s beneficial to remind people every so often of progressive ideas/policies that would benefit us here in North America.
In order to decrease the number of autos in UK cities, alleviating a significant source of carbon emissions and improve the health and well-being of it’s citizens, the UK government introduced a Cycle To Work initiative a few years ago.
The plan allows employers to “loan” bicycles to employees, who then pay the employer back for the value of the bike (up to £1,000, $1700 CDA) using pre-tax salary. In addition to all the benefits of bicycle commuting, both to the individual and the community, this can result in a 50% saving on the cost of the bicycle. Since 2005, there are some 100,000 who have taken advantage of the initiative with some 50,000 NEW bicycle commuters. Great program! Something to think about here, particularly in Ontario Canada when tax harmonization likely eliminates the <$1000 PST exemption on bicycle purchases.
From the UK Department of Transport website, excerpts below:
Cycle to work
The Finance Act 1999 and the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 provided
a tax exemption to allow employers to loan cycles and cyclist safety equipment to
their employees to cycle to work. In 2005 the Government assisted the cycle industry
in promoting the scheme by providing implementation guidance. It also asked the
Office of Fair Trading to issue a group consumer credit licence to allow all UK
businesses to offer cycle packages to each member of staff of up to £1,000 in order
to cycle to work. This dispensed with the need to apply for an individual licence.
Since 2005 we estimate that nearly 100,000 employees are now benefiting from the
use of new bikes to cycle to work. Half of these are new or returning cyclists.Value for Money
Economic modeling carried out for Cycling England3 shows that increasing cycling
levels by 20 per cent by 2015 has the potential to save £107 million in reducing
premature deaths, £52 million in NHS costs and £87 million in reduced absence from
work.
There are also quantifiable benefits in terms of reduced congestion and pollution.
The SQW work quoting a 20% increase in cycling delivering congestion benefits of
£207m and pollution benefits of £71m. Overall, it is estimated that investing in cycling
gives very good value for money, with benefits estimated to be 3.2 times the costs.
Regular cyclists are also likely to live a healthier, longer life.
Bracebridge Triathalon
Once again, another great event in Muskoka – this one in Bracebridge.
Chris came in 12th in his category – superb, inspirational!
And once again exceptionally managed by MultiSport Canada
Between being at the savedbybikes.com and working at the Boston Pizza on Lake Muskoka (to and from where he rides an orange STRiDA), Chris had almost no time to train but really makes it look easy.
And apparently he has fun doing it:
Bala Triathalon
Chris completed his second Triathalon on the weekend. This one in Bala, was a fantastic event.
They are fun events and great little local economy boosters. Kudos to the organizers of the HSBC Triathalon Series, Multisport Canada; these events with hundreds of competitors and I would think, thousands of potential problems were exceptionally well managed. This made for a great time for participants and spectators.
