We make it our business to inform readers of great deals on products we love and scour the web for legit deals during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day to help you save money.
But probably the biggest discount out there is available year-round, it’s not limited to an older model that’s been replaced by a newer version, and the product is legitimately life-changing.
The UK Government’s Cycle to Work scheme allows payroll officers to get their hands on it Any e-bike for their commute and deduct the cost from their paycheck in pre-tax monthly installments—like a buy now, pay later that you always have the money to cover. Because it’s taken out of your pay before you pay tax, you save between 28%, 42% or 47%, depending on your tax bracket.
There are many Cycle to Work program providers, but Green Mobility Initiative it’s one of the simplest, and as a social enterprise it’s doing everything it can to get more people cycling—a mission Coach supports wholeheartedly. For example, it doesn’t charge a 7% end-of-plan fee like some traditional providers do, you just make the maximum savings available to you.
It also has a simple explanation how the system works for employeesas well as a more detailed one step by step guide, because, to be honest, it’s pretty confusing. But when there’s the chance to save hundreds or even thousands of pounds on a better way to get to work, that’s a minor concern.
Still not convinced? Here are four good reasons to ride an ebike to work, based on my experience testing a dozen electric bikes on my commute.
1. Riding an e-bike is easy
I regularly go to work on a regular bike. It’s great and the next three reasons to move all apply, but it’s not always easy. The hills, the wind, and the fatigue that builds up after a long week can make some rides a little sketchy. And even if I take it easy, I sweat enough to warrant a shower and change of clothes once I get to work, which adds time to my commute and bulk to my backpack.
An ebike has none of these problems. Suddenly you just become Really good for cycling and cruising to work without breaking a sweat. In fact, I’ve learned to wrap up warmer than usual because I’m not working hard enough to raise my body temperature. Through the Green Commute Initiative, you can add clothing to your bike pack to get the right gear for your commute and save big.
I’ve also found that taking an e-bike to work is the easiest and most reliable way to get to work, as you’re much less likely to get stuck in traffic or the delays that can plague trains.
2. It’s healthy
Even though you won’t necessarily break a sweat when riding an e-bike, it’s still exercise and you’ll still be making yourself a force for good. There is an aerobic exercise goal, recommended by various health services around the world, of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. You really don’t have to work that hard to start racking up the minutes—say a brisk walk or e-bike ride—but the benefits you get from counting that time doing low-intensity steady state are huge. If there was a pill that could deliver the proven benefits of regular aerobic exercise, you’d pay through the nose for it.
If your weekly commute time adds up to 150 minutes or more, you’ll reach this suggested goal without sacrificing your free time. And because it’s easy exercise, it won’t leave you too tired to continue whatever sport or activity you’re already doing. In fact, you’ll probably end up cycling in it for a warm-up as well—that’s what I do.
3. It is more environmentally friendly
While most of our transport infrastructure still runs on fossil fuels, running on your own steam will reduce your personal emissions and limit pollution. More than that, the more people who cycle, the safer cycling feels. Changing your commute can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to travel in a way that’s better for the environment.
4. It is good value for money
Biking to work isn’t free, but there’s every chance it will save you significant amounts of money compared to driving or public transportation. Obviously, using the Green Commute Initiative to access the Cycle to Work Program can significantly reduce your initial setup costs, and you can negotiate with your employer to spread the payments to fit your monthly budget. Just make sure you budget for regular maintenance and spare parts, as well as insurance against bike theft. All Green Commute Initiative customers have access to special offers on insurance products. I also subscribe to one of the UK Cycling membership organizations to access third party liability insurance and legal assistance in the event of an accident.
