Brand engagement agency TMW Unlimited has launched an employer-paid cycling scheme for 900 employees nationwide.
The scheme, provided by free2cycle, was implemented in June 2018 as part of the agency’s wellbeing strategy. It has been designed to help improve employees’ health and wellbeing, as well as contribute towards environmental goals by reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint.
Through the scheme, employees are able to select and use an employer-paid bike for both commuting and personal travel. Employees have to commit to cycling a set number of miles a month in order for to avoid contributing to the cost of the bike, which is paid for by the employer at 20p for every mile cycled per employee, subject to a cap. On average, this equates to £20 a month.
The expected is halved during the winter months, and the scheme’s four-year finance agreement structure means that employees own their chosen bikes from the start and can opt for a new bike every four years, if they wish.
Employees are able to track their mileage via an online app. The app also shows how much carbon has been offset against each mile pedalled, due to reduced car and public transport journeys.
The new benefit was launched at TMW Unlimited’s Soho office and is going to be rolled out across its other operating sites in due course.
The launch event included an informal presentation and one-to-one question and answer opportunities, delivered by free2cycle, and also gave employees the chance to try out the available bike styles. TMW Unlimited will continue to promote the benefit with ongoing communications and drop in sessions.
Chris Pearce (pictured), chief executive officer at TMW Unlimited, said: “We lead rather than follow, we continually strive to ensure that our customers benefit from the most energised, creative people. Encouraging our team to earn a bike by riding rather than paying for it is a great way to encourage regular activity and make a measurable impact on our carbon footprint. Partnering with free2cycle made it easy to implement and benefits our team, the group, customers and the environment; so it’s a win-win.”