New cycle scheme for Christchurch Council workers

Staff at Christchurch Council are to be encouraged to take to two wheels instead of four with a new cycle hire scheme just being introduced.

The Cycle to Work scheme run by Cycle Solutions will give Borough workers the opportunity to choose a bike from a large range of options and pay for its hire from their salary over a period of 18 months.

Chief Executive Michael Turvey said: “This is a marvellous way to encourage our staff to get fitter but also help the environment.

“By taking payments from their salaries before tax, they are making significant savings. The benefit to the Council is clear – the finance is coming from a private company so there is no financial impact on us, but we get the advantage of a healthier workforce.

“We recently installed new showers at the Civic Offices as a further

incentive for people to cycle to work and have put in new cycle stores for the anticipated increase in cyclists.”

When the scheme was first mooted last year, 38 people registered an interest.

A roadshow is being held at the Civic Offices at the beginning of September to demonstrate the benefits of the scheme and staff will have a three-week window to take up the offer.