Business Innovators Invest in Bicycling
The future of bicycling in the UK
The future of cycling in the UK was dealt a blow when George Osborne’s Spending Review in January 2016 revealed a new commitment of £300m to cycling investment to 2020/21. This sounds good, but equates to only around £1.40 per person per year in England (outside of London), in contrast, the average investment in the Netherlands is around €30 (£22) per person per year.
By 5 January 2017, London had already breached its annual air pollution limits and other cities will soon follow. Nitrogen dioxide is produced largely by diesel vehicles and causes 9,500 early deaths every year in London. In the same month, scientists also reported that 1-in-10 cases of Alzheimer’s in people living near busy roads could be linked to air pollution.
Benefits of cycling investment
Business innovators invest in bicycling as the returns are good for them and for their local community. Research shows that for every kilometre cycled, society benefits from a 16p profit, while driving the same distance produces a net loss of 10p.
Cycling also has benefits of increasing fitness and lowering stress levels which leads to increased productivity and fewer sick days by employees. Converting motorists into cyclists reduces congestion on the roads which saves travel time, also increasing business productivity.
Fewer cars also lower CO2 emissions leading to climate change mitigation as well as improving the urban environment as you get less noise, less pollution, and a calmer and more inviting urban space.
More cyclists open up opportunities for more local shops and a more rich local life. The area will gain a reputation for being an attractive to live, attracting further investments and tourists.
LEARN MOREInvest in Bicycling
Top business innovators, ranging from retail to tech, have invest in bicycling as a way to boost morale, increase energy efficiency and encourage healthy living and they are reaping the benefits of being a Bicycle Friendly Business.
Business innovators have promoted cycling to their workforce through ‘green’ travel plans, offering a range of tax incentives including the “Cycle to Work” scheme, made a fleet of pool bikes available, supported a workplace “Bicycle Users’ Group”, provided washing, changing and drying facilities, provided safe, secure and convenient cycle parking facilities and more.
Bicycle friendly businesses
- "The health and well-being of our employees is a top priority for our local authority and we are committed to invest in bicycling to offer the tools and resources they need to reach their well-being goals. We are proud to be a Bicycle Friendly Business, providing bike facilities and commuting incentives that empower our employees.” A.K. Brighton & Hove City Council
- “Our bike program exemplifies our ongoing commitment to providing sustainable transportation alternatives to our employees. Bikes are an integral part of our culture thanks to our business innovations. Our full-service Transit & Bike Hub provides same-day bike repairs, safe cycling and bike maintenance classes, guided commute rides and bike events. We have a large fleet of campus bikes, intern and loaner bikes, as well as bikes for fitness and recreational rides. And to help make cycling accessible for everyone, we are working with our local communities to improve the bike infrastructure. Helping more people choose to ride a bike is an important part of our transportation mission”. O.D. Oxford University
- “We know there are many benefits to bicycling for our employees and for the communities we are a part of. By strongly encouraging and supporting the use of bicycles for commuting, we are making a positive impact on the environment and the health and well-being of our employees." J.G. Addenbrookes NHS Trust.
Increasing niche builds
The recent niche category of the gravel bike, that can handle rougher roads comfortably highlights an ongoing trend in 2017 for increasing niche builds. Previously there were just road bikes, but now there are climbing bikes, endurance bikes, race bikes, aero bikes and more. The benefits to a hyper-specialized machine including opening up routes from mountain climbs to bike-packing.
All purpose bikes
Whilst the niche market is building, the trend in 2017 for road bikes also sees the growth in all-purpose bicycle. These bikes are fast, comfortable, benefit from disc brakes and have the ability to run wide tires.
These bikes look more like racing than endurance bikes and by the end of 2017 we should know if these are the solution to increasingly niche build bikes or if they are themselves another niche category.