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!”