Reckitt Benckiser incentivises staff to cycle to work

Reckitt Benckiser has rolled out a discount and reward programme around cycling, which offers employees extra perks to commute to work by bike.

The scheme was launched with PleaseCycle on 1 November. The consumer goods company has already logged mileage equivalent to cycling three lengths of Britain, saving four London-Paris flights worth of carbon.

The PleaseCycle programme offers employees extra perks to commute to work by bike, including free coffee, discounts on cycle gear and lower health insurance premiums. Some employers are using the system to enhance their bikes-for-work schemes and offering employees free holiday time or charitable donations in exchange for commuting to work.

PleaseCycle creates digital cycle hubs for organisations, which allow their staff to log miles via Twitter and a mobile application, akin to an air miles system for bikes. Staff can then redeem these bike miles for discount vouchers at a variety of retailers and compete against colleagues for additional rewards.

The cycle hub also contains educational content for novice cyclists, a safe journey planner, instant weather updates, and a forum to buddy up with other employees.

Ry Morgan, founder of PleaseCycle, said: “We believe that one day every business worth their salt will have a cycle hub.

“The technology allows HR managers to encourage sustainable transport, track the carbon saved, and offer rewards to staff.

“Employers are already using the hub to incentivise employees with everything from holiday time to discounted cycle equipment through our retail partners.”

Read also Buyer’s guide to carbon offsetting

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