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Cyclists in London at traffic lights in cycle lane - copyright Simon MacMichaelAlmost 2 million people on low income or not in employment want to cycle, but are “effectively excluded” due to high costs and lack of discounts like Cycle to Work, finds Sustrans research
A report from active travel charity Sustrans has found that a total of 1.9 million, or 38 per cent of people on a low income or not in employment want to cycle, or cycle more, but are priced out of the activity and its benefits due to the high costs and the lack of discount offers such available, with Sustrans recommending a “parallel initiative” to Cycle to Work to end “cycling inequality” and bring in economic benefits of up to £60 million.
The Cycle to Work scheme was initially launched in 1999 by the UK Government and currently offers millions of people discounts of up to 40 per cent when buying a new bike and additional safety gear such as locks and helmets. However, people on a low or no income are excluded as they do not meet the scheme’s entry criteria.
The research found that of those in the working age (16-65 years old) and without a job, or employed but earning less than £17,000 per year, 14 per cent (1.6 million) people would be “very likely” to use a voucher scheme providing 40 per cent off retail cost, while 18 per cent (2 million) of those not in employment said they would use a cycle to get to and from work if they find a job in the future.
Xavier Brice, CEO of Sustrans, said: “A new UK Government brings new opportunities. Their focus on the economy, opportunity and health is critical, and integrating transport with walking, wheeling and cycling must be a part of this. To include those at all economic levels in this is a priority, or we risk leaving two million people to the dangers of transport poverty.”
While only 30 per cent of people on a low income or not in employment have access to a cycle, data from Sustrans’ Walking and Cycling Index found that 59 per cent of people in professional occupations on the other hand have access to a cycle.
The scheme’s modelling reveals a 40 per cent discount voucher - aligned to the discounts available via Cycle to Work - would have an annual economic benefit of £60 million, at a cost of just £18 million. By improving people’s health and wellbeing, the scheme will reduce costs to the NHS and thousands of sick days will be prevented. It will improve access to work and education opening up opportunities and boosting the local economy.
Brice continued: “The opportunity to get more people cycling is right here for the taking. The Cycle to Work scheme has existed for 25 years. Why shouldn’t the same opportunities be extended to the people that need it most — now?
“Using the Cycling Opportunity voucher scheme, we can tackle this inequality together and enjoy the benefits together too; for our bank accounts, our NHS and our environment.”
The walking, cycling and wheeling charity said: “The UK has 11.7 million people earning less than £17,000 per year or not in employment. People in this group are much less likely to have access to a car compared to the general population. For those who do, rising costs are making it unaffordable to run.”
79% respondents of Sustrans' survey felt that cycling would improve their physical and mental health
Himesh, a resident of Islington and currently looking for work, explained the benefit a voucher scheme would be to him: “Cycling was always a way to escape my stresses. 90 per cent of the cycles I went on in Canada were leisure cycles. Now, when I’m using the rental bikes in London, I’m super conscious of the time so I make sure I take the optimum route to make the most of my money. The price per minute has gone up too.
“Since I moved to London, cycling as a hobby has disappeared from life. Any scheme that could loosen the financial burden would really help me in getting my own bike.”
Vivienne Jackson, Programme Manager at Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, who provided funding for the report, said: “We know access to transport is a key barrier to employment for people on lower incomes. It’s not right that people on a low income can’t access discount cycle schemes that are available to others.
“If the government is serious about getting people into work and growing the economy, implementing a Cycle-to-Work style scheme for people who are unemployed or on low incomes seems like an obvious solution, and will have other benefits too.”
The Cycle to Work scheme has previously come under fire, with a body representing independent cycling retailers in the UK demanding “immediate” changes to what it described as the government’s “flawed” scheme last year. It argued that the initiative is dominated by providers who “put business profits well ahead of cycling development” and described Cyclescheme’s decision to prevent retailers from charging additional fees as “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.
Sustrans also claimed that it has produced a free modelling tool for policymakers to calculate participation, costs and benefits of different schemes for their nation or region, which local authorities can use to consider and implement trial schemes for their communities.
Besides the £60 million saved by providing access to bikes to lower income people, estimates by the Bicycle Association also found that this scenario would also add an extra £14-£18 million to the economic value of the cycle industry; creating and maintaining jobs in cycle retailers, workshops and other services — particularly important to the cycling industry at a time when it has been hit hard by falling sales.
Previously, a study conducted by Cycle to Work provider Cyclescheme found that almost half of UK-based consumers believe that they cannot afford to buy a bike, with a quarter noting that it would take at least six months for them to save for one.
The survey, carried as part of an annual research into the attitudes and perceptions of, and barriers to, cycling in the UK, also suggested that the costs of accessories, along with concerns about a lack of fitness and “fitting in” with other cyclists, acts as a deterrent to encouraging more people to ride their bikes to work.
However, despite these concerns, the study also found that the number of people cycling to work is rapidly growing, with almost a third of those consumers surveyed commuting by bike, up from 19 per cent last year.
Adwitiya joined road.cc in 2023 as a news writer after graduating with a masters in journalism from Cardiff University. His dissertation focused on active travel, which soon threw him into the deep end of covering everything related to the two-wheeled tool, and now cycling is as big a part of his life as guitars and football. He has previously covered local and national politics for Voice Wales, and also likes to writes about science, tech and the environment, if he can find the time. Living right next to the Taff trail in the Welsh capital, you can find him trying to tackle the brutal climbs in the valleys.
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33 comments
Made me think of cycling in Berlin and Copenhagen; yes, they're flat and we all know the cycling infrastructure and attitudes to cycling are better than the UK. The bikes they use are SO SIMPLE; bullet-proof shopper bikes with 3 speed hub gears and simple dynamo lights. With a decent set of tyres, you probably wouldn't remember when it last went near a bike shop. Also, they also just cycle in normal clothes and not a helmet in sight; as well as that, locking is more just a token effort (perhaps loads of basic bikes make stealing them pointless). Just vastly more simple than the UK if you decide getting about by bike is what you want to do. I had a 9 speed Shimano hub geared commuter 25 years ago (got nicked); something new to me but shop said that set-up was popular in Europe. Perhaps simplifying cycling would make it more accessible.
Many reasons why people don't cycle, not all financial. I would agree though that the cycle2work scheme is to much red tape to be a success and ofcourse relies on your earnings remaining above a minimum wage threshold.
For me the answer is to make cycling parts, clothing and bikes themselves VAT free. Us on 40% tax bands will take a slight hit by this but with a far simpler system I can use at will without having to sign agreements etc, it's a price worth paying.
There are dozens of bicycles for sale on social media within 5 miles of my house for £50 or less. No doubt stolen but not prohibitive cost...
I have been saying this for years. We have a cycle to work scheme but no cycle to get work scheme. We have no scheme for children or students. We have no scheme for the retired when we have tons of evidence on the benefits of exercise for older people. There are nearly 3 million people out of work due to a long term health condition many of whom would benefit from increased activity. The list goes on and on.
We need schemes to get people on bikes. We need them to be available at all retailers. We need enforced requirements on local authorities to promote active travel for all. We need central government funding and if that means increased taxation, so be it, though I prefer a levy on low density transportation at some point in the chain.
Yes... all this is good. And I agree that the Cycle to Work scheme is ... wonky, and has massive gaps.
And I know this thread is about that but I think you've put the most important thing last. Where will they cycle? And where will they securely keep and park their bikes?
All those people you mention really could cycle now. Without great expense or effort. Indeed some people in all those demographics mentioned do, and happily. But most don't. And yet In other (similar) places in Europe they do (children, older people, people with disabilities, all kinds of people... and people even cycle in places where a decade or so back they didn't so real "culture change" can happen).
I'd say the key blockers are not the cost of a bike or the effort to obtain and run one (though easing that might be nice).
There is also the social status of cycling (at best makes you an "oddball"). (In the UK we make this even worse by effectively mandating that transport cycling should not be "social" - unlike all other modes - we should encourage this instead). Another "chicken and egg" but it really is the case that "fixing it so cycling is convenient (relative to driving), safe and attractive" gets a lot more people cycling (not just an extra percent) and at that point it becomes ... normal.
But... that is a LOT harder, more expensive and time-consuming that throwing a few extra millions at "encouraging cycling" schemes unfortunately!
This is why I think that cycles and clothes/accessories should be zero-rated for VAT. The shops might not pass on the saving to the customers, but then they can do the same for Cycle-to-Work schemes as well (probably just always charge full ticket price for C2W customers and give others a healthy discount).
It's bizarre that the C2W scheme basically provides better "discounts" for higher paid employees - it's opposite to what it needs to be.
On a tangent, why don't we get government subsidies for e-bikes?
Boo hoo people have to save up to buy a bike I have had to save up to buy a jersey at times and more and that's in the last decade
Your empathy and understanding do you credit. However, you may wish to note that this article is not about the fact that people have to save up to buy a bike, it's about the fact that the taxpayer funded benefits for those wishing to buy a bike are not accessible for people on lower incomes or without guaranteed permanent employment contracts.
Some people may not be able to save up to buy a bike, too.
What part of low income don't you understand?
It's not even about being able to afford a non deathtrap bicycle the other detractors are violence towards cyclists, theft, locks can cost more than some low end bikes. Not forgetting lights, decent jackets and the harsh quick lesson the cycle infra and parking are usually a sporadic after thought. Second hand is like shooting blind.... "Is it stolen?" Remember not everyone knows where you can register a bike. I know I'm betraying my age but.... Did anyone else build a junk bike or fix their bike using scrap yard parts?
Yep, I built up a nice 90s MTB using junk parts other people had discarded. It rode really well and I kept it as my spare bike. The only new parts I bought for it were tubes and tyres. It was taking up space though so I gave it away to a friend in the end.
I've always been lucky in always having a bike, which I have always been able to keep going no matter how broke I'd been. Always got me to work, places and friends. Several upgrades when getting run over and a destruction in the early days.
Knowledge and tools acquired over the years. Spending when able, as the obsession grew, running cheaper when needed.
But I can see that it can be a bit of a stretch to get started.
My understanding is the "up to 40%" saving on cycle to work is for the higher rate tax payer.
Most people who need the help be on lower incomes and therefore lower tax so only save approx 20%.
Then if course you can't go below min wage after all deductions ...
You've then got some providers or bike shops wanting to charge extra fees so they get their extra cut, or won't allow you to use it on sale items
Then you've got HMRC wanting to charge the benefit in kind or residue value ...
Then the whole e bike and/or safety concerns, poor infrastructure both during commute but also when arriving at destination such as parking and changing facilities and then the them v us issues etc etc
it's not just about affordability
Short term contracts make it difficult too.
I can't see zero hours and gig workers being able to use it.
A decent secondhand bike can be bought for not much at all. Get a friend with some knowledge to check it over for you.
I've also given away four functional bikes we didn't need any more, three to friends and one to a charity.
What a load of nonsense. They can afford spend their benefits on fags and booze and bookies.
Oh fuck off you cunt
Not quite how I would have put it but well said.
... and squander the rest.
I'm so glad that you've been able to do an in-depth study of the behaviours of such a wide group of society, rather than generalising with wot you red in the Mail this one time. Have you considered offering your services to the Govt?
Anyone in London in this position might be interested to know that if you're in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance you can apply for a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card, which gets you 50% off a monthly subscription to Santander Bikes, so £10 a month instead of £20. With a monthly subscription you get unlimited rides of under 60 minutes for no extra charge. Just over £2 a week for that is a pretty good deal I'd say, with no worries about insurance, storage, theft or maintenance. The same discount is available for various other beneficiaries, including all Freedom Pass holders, Apprentice and Veteran Oyster card holders and 18-25 Care Leaver Oyster Card holders.
It is a strange outcome given how cheap it is to cycle, how low bike running costs are, and how easy low-end bikes are to maintain.
The only cheaper alternative is walking but that is 3-5 times slower. Any other form of transport is going to be more costly and potentially no faster. For example say you take one bus twice a day at £2, so around £1,000 a year. That is easily enough to buy a usable bike, run it into the ground, and then buy a new one at the end of the year.
Agreed, but on very low incomes cash-flow is as much of an issue as the actual amount of money.
£2 a day might be doable, but putting aside several months' worth of £2s might not. Legitimate credit is unlikely to be available at reasonable rates.
Even if the money can be found, the psychological effects of poverty are non-trivial. You might well know that it's a long-term benefit to save for the bike, but if you're hungry or even just desperately short of small luxuries the temptation to say "fuck it, I'll start saving again next month" can be overwhelming when you see you have a lump sum not being used immediately.
Enough for fifteen years at least - my bombproof Specialized Tricross, which is my bike for every errand where I'll have to leave a bike locked up and also for muddy trail riding and winter commuting when the weather's filthy, cost me £165 secondhand three years ago and thus far has required a new pair of tyres (£60), a new chain and cassette (£45) and some new bar tape (£15). Add in about £20 of oil and I reckon a grand would easily see me out a couple of decades!
Agreed. Simple mechanical bikes supported by (community) maintenance training and facility schemes should make owning and using a bike very cheap.
Not having a clue about maintenance and repairs probably does put some people off (even if 'how to' info isn't hard to find).
I wonder what tech ed they teach kids at school these days. It might be more useful to teach puncture repair than train kids on the industrial-sizes lathes at my old school. I can do you a nice table leg though.
I suspect that a lot of education, employment and hobby activities have become so screen based that physical skills picked up by previous generations are now quite rare.
a) "Survey" - get your salt.
I know this is "anti-growth" and that things have to be manufactured at some point but I'm not sure "free or very cheap new stuff" is always the answer *. If I was really pushed but needed the cheapest short-range transport I'd be looking online / in charities for a second hand bike. Granted - I have reasonable health, the luxury of having a few tools, spares and am able to afford parts.
I wonder what the answers would have been if the question "...or would you prefer help to run a car" was included?
b) Exactly how reliable their modelling is, for what, under what assumptions is unclear **... but that doesn't even matter. Currently the government is a major savings-finding mode (aside from having brought the wages of some public sector and transport workers back to where they were time back). So unfortunately I think this will lie on the shelf.
* Well ... it answers some questions like "I'm energetic and favour cycling and want to do something for (some) people", "I work for a charity and we'd love money for new projects" and "I'm up for a new bike if it's less than half price"...
Not sure it really answers questions about exclusion and health and mobility for the poorest. I suspect that's well beyond cycling but even if it wasn't we'd want a completely different, far more equal transport system with mass cycling and far better public transport. Or put us all in debt and buy everyone a car...
** Haven't read the detail but though "participation" was mentioned in their modelling tool I think that's the rub. We know that people in general don't cycle where there aren't decent places to cycle - even though in surveys people often say they'd like to or are considering it. In the UK there are only a network of safe, convenient cycle routes (or secure parking / storage - new bikes can be a liability) in a handful or urban areas. Elsewhere it's tolerable for the brave - or worse.
In my anecdata (from Edinburgh and a few other places I visit) people not cycling (even sometimes when they do own bikes) seems to be true - even for those who are disadvantaged and for whom it would seem "more convenient" than buses / walking / getting lifts. Exception would be those who are bold / possibly needing "irregular" work and who do the food delivery jobs...
I've been looking into Cycle to Work, but I'm not sure whether I can comfortably afford to make the salary sacrifice required.
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