Newcastle City Council has launched a bikes-for-work scheme for its 13,000 employees.
The scheme, delivered by Bike2Work, a provider of the government’s bikes-for-work programme, has been introduced to help staff increase their fitness levels. The scheme also aims to reduce pollution in the area and ease local traffic congestion.
Employees who register to join the scheme can choose a new bike or cycling equipment from approximately 2,200 partner stores. Newcastle City Council pays for the items upfront and employees repay the organisation in instalments taken from their gross pay.
The programme, which is the first bike scheme that Newcastle City Council has put in place for its staff, was communicated to employees using posters and guide documents.
Councillor Jane Streather, cabinet member for public health and housing at Newcastle City Council, said: “Newcastle City Council is delighted to offer the [bikes-for-work] scheme to our staff; not only is cycling a great way to support their health and wellbeing, but it can also make a big difference to the environment by reducing our carbon footprint and easing traffic congestion and parking.”
