Cycling Ireland has launched a new cycle to work scheme for graduates, which also involves other partners including Brompton Bikes. Under the new offer, graduates will be able to make their commute by bike, thus saving on the costs associated with driving or public transport.
Anyone signing up will also get a Cycling Ireland commuter membership, which extends insurance cover to them for their cycling journeys. The move should help the national governing body bolster its membership numbers at a time when finances are under pressure.
The new scheme - which is based on bike rental, rather than purchase - involves Cycling Solutions Ireland, Ireland’s only EU-certified cycle-friendly employer (CFE) accreditor, as well as Brompton Bikes and Cycling Ireland. Those who sign up will get a Brompton C Line bike, which folds up and can be taken onto any form of public transport or into a work place, reducing the risk of on-street thefts.
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The scheme costs €25 per week, or €100 per month, excluding VAT. Users must participate for a minimum of six months, after which their employer will be billed bi-monthly in advance. Electric bikes are also available at an additional cost of €15 per week. The scheme includes Brompton bike insurance for theft or damage and a six-monthly Brompton bike service.
Cycling Ireland's 'Get Ireland Cycling' officer, Paul Norton, said the national governing body was "delighted to collaborate with CFE to offer their clients and their employees the reassurance and benefits" of its commuter membership.
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"As well as attractive retail discounts, it also offers peace of mind for the employee when commuting by bike," he said. "CFE have been very successful in influencing a shift in cultural change towards active travel and we are very excited to be involved with their latest initiative, that of the Brompton graduate bike hire scheme."
Michael O’Boyle, Cycling Solutions Ireland chief executive, said he believed "cycling is the most efficient way to get people around cities, and we want to make Brompton’s top of the range C Line bike available to as many graduates as possible".
“By offering this benefit to graduates, we hope to encourage sustainable transport options and make it easier for Graduates to avail of the cost benefits of leaving the car at home and cycling to the workplace while having the freedom to bring their foldable Brompton Bike on all forms of public transport,” he said.
"It's a win-win situation, with graduates benefiting from reduced commuting costs and a healthier, more flexible commute, while employers can enjoy scope 3 emissions savings and attractive tax savings."
Julian Scriven, managing director of Brompton Bikes, said his company's wish was "to enable as many people as possible to enjoy the benefits of cycling" as well as widening access to our high-quality bicycles.
"Working with Cycling Solutions Ireland to offer graduates a bike is a fantastic way to do that - and marks the start of our work in Ireland. We can’t wait to see people begin to get on our bikes and use them, making their experience as graduates at companies across Ireland more enjoyable and convenient.”
