On your bike, get set, go! 

Cycle to Work Day is about getting more people back on their bikes – regardless of their experience. It’s about giving it a go.

Here, at Chemring, we also offer the UK Government Bike scheme, allowing you to purchase the gear you need but spreading the cost over 12 months. The cost is deducted from your gross salary, meaning you don’t pay income tax or NI on the payments you make, giving you an overall saving.

To celebrate Cycle to Work Day on August 5, we spoke with Rob Craig, Head of People Development, to find out what drives him to cycle more. 

What motivates you to cycle to work?

“I see cycling as an additional option to other forms of transport so that I can be flexible in choosing between the car, train and bike as my mood (and British weather) defines.  Whether popping to the shops or commuting to work, I like to consider what options I have from a wellbeing, efficiency (traffic) and environmental point of view.

I have three bikes, a mountain bike, a Brompton folding bike and an Electric Brompton. The Brompton’s are my favourite as they provide so many options just to fold up the bike and put it in a car/train/taxi if my plans change.”

Are you a regular cyclist, ride every now and then, or completely new to cycling?

“My first job at 13 was as a paperboy, and my bike was an essential way to get the job done.  The freedom to go wherever I wanted with relative ease has always stuck with me as the pleasure of cycling.  As I’ve got older and my career has become busier, the time to get some physical exercise and the mental space to reflect and think is invaluable.”

How far is your journey to work?

“My commute to work is 11 miles from the centre of Southampton to our Romsey site and takes anywhere between 45-60mins depending on how fit I’m feeling.  Since the car journey is a minimum of 25mins, it’s not that much extra time to take the bike, and in return, I enjoy the commute much more.  I’m lucky that the majority of my route is on safe side streets or dedicated cycle lanes, so I don’t feel unsafe.

My electric Brompton has become my main commuting bike as I can arrive ‘fresher’ and not so sweaty using the electric assist.  If I want more of a workout, I simply switch off the power.  Electric pedal bikes are an exciting development and making cycling much more accessible and inclusive for those who haven’t cycled before.  Although they are more expensive upfront, prices are falling year on year and employee benefits such as the UK Government Bike to Work Scheme are a fantastic way to spread the cost and save money.

Having shower facilities on the Romsey site is also a fantastic employee benefit and useful for those treating their commute as a workout.”

How would you encourage other colleagues?

“For people wanting to cycle to work, overcoming the barriers to doing so is key.  Having great bike storage, safe cycle path infrastructure, and shower facilities on site remove the majority of the barriers for me.  Of course, the great British weather is the uncontrollable element, but as Wainwright said, There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”

What might put you off cycling to work each day?

“Other than bad weather, sometimes I wake up without the energy to commute by bike.  Being able to cycle to the train station and take a train part way of the commute is a great compromise. Cycling doesn’t need to be all or nothing; building up to a full commute and taking the car on days you feel like it is a healthy balance.  Every time I cycle, even part of the way, it’s one less car on the road, which helps reduce congestion for those who need to drive.

In addition, over the years, I’ve also learned more about the mechanics of bikes, which are much simpler than I feared, so I’ve learned new practical skills through the maintenance of my bikes.  I’m proud that I can keep my bikes in great condition and don’t worry about minor maintenance issues anymore.  Every day is a school day.”

Have you used the cycle to work benefit offered at Chemring?

“I’ve used the UK Government Bike to Work scheme in the past to purchase a bike and the associated safety gear like a helmet and hi-vis jacket.  The tax savings can be considerable and spreading the cost doesn’t require a lump sum spend to get set up.  I’ll certainly use it again in the future when it’s time for my next bike!

Cycling to work might not work for everyone, but it’s just one more way to bring you some fantastic wellbeing benefits. So, I’d encourage you to look at the Cycle to Work Benefit as a way to getting into cycling.  See you out there!”