2 years on, will Council finally join ‘Cycle To Work’ scheme?

 

Keen cyclists Councillor Roger Symonds and Councillor Paul Crossley have been trying for the last 2 years to persuade B&NES Council to sign up to ‘Cycle To Work’ – the Government initiative which offers employees VAT-free bikes, repaid by loans that are exempt from income tax and national insurance, through a salary sacrifice system. The Council does not pay towards the bike and acts only to enable the facility to process through its payroll. It is successfully operated by many local companies and many Councils across the country.

 

The proposal has also been backed by Bath MP Don Foster. Finally the Council leaders are said to be ‘considering’ the proposal through a feasibility study.

 

Councillor Crossley (Lib Dem, Southdown) said:

 

“All employers should be encouraging staff to cycle to work. The more people that cycle, the safer and less congested our roads will be. Cycling is also great for keeping fit!

 

“The Cabinet has made a big issue of congestion problems in Bath over the last six months, launching a website and advocating infrastructure schemes; however they are ignoring an opportunity to put in place a small-scale, cheap and popular idea which could make a real difference. The Government ‘Cycle To Work’ scheme is a great initiative and the Council is failing in its leadership role by not participating.”

 

Councillor Symonds (Lib Dem, Combe Down) added:

 

“The Conservative administration has been dragging its feet on this issue and putting up all sorts of problems that simply show they do not understand. Several employees and Councillors would like to take advantage of the Government initiative. We should be signing up now. At last it looks as though the Council will follow more enlightened employers such as the University of Bath and Bristol City Council where Cyclescheme has been running for years.”