8:04am Thursday 29th October 2009
By Richard Catton
York’s credentials as a cycle-friendly city have been boosted with the regional launch of a Government-backed bike scheme.
The Cycle To Work Guarantee was rolled out across Yorkshire and Humberside yesterday at the Nestlé factory in Haxby Road.
The national initiative aims to encourage public and private sector employers to commit to providing staff with safe bike storage, changing facilities and access to the Government’s tax break scheme to go towards new bikes and equipment.
At yesterday’s launch, the Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, Rosie Winterton, said: “I am delighted that major regional employers such as City of York Council and Nestlé are setting a good example by signing up to the Cycle To Work Guarantee.
“These employers are showing their commitment to making cycling an attractive, viable option for their staff and removing the barriers that may have stopped workers getting on their bikes before.
“I would urge more businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber to follow their lead.”
Nestlé has already brought in a number of the cycle-friendly steps outlined in the Guarantee and claims it has since seen an increase of 15 per cent in the number of staff cycling to work.
Measures include providing secure cycle parking facilities and enabling staff to buy tax-free bikes under a salary-sacrifice scheme. The company also supported the recent Car Free Day in York.
Neil Millan, director of human resources at Nestlé Confectionery in York, said the response from the York workforce had been “incredibly positive”.
“As responsible employers, we are committed to the health and wellness of our employees. Promoting cycling to work – particularly in a Cycling Demonstration Town such as York, where cycling facilities are widely available – is one way in which we can help our staff,” he said.
“The response from the workforce has been incredibly positive, and we hope that by signing up to the guarantee, it will encourage even more staff to make the most of the facilities available.”
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