Supporting Schemes

The government and other organisations are very keen to increase the proportion of people getting to work by means other than the car, for the environmental benefits, health benefits and to reduce congestion on our roads.

To support this aspiration and encourage more workers to try commuting without the car, there are lots of local and national initiatives, below, that employees can tap into to help them give it a go.

Download a list of 2011 events here 

[pdf, 237KB]

Cycling

  • Cycle to Work Guarantee - The Cycle to Work Guarantee is a voluntary initiative from the Department for Transport, challenging businesses to become cycle friendly employers by making it easy for staff to cycle to and from work.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme - A discounted bicycle purchasing scheme for employees which enables them to get 30-50% off the cost of a new bicycle and accessories.
  • Repair and Ride - Free bicycle servicing for employees, offered by Somerset County Council. This scheme is only available to companies who have or are working towards a travel plan and must be organised through your employer. Please contact us for further details
  • Take A Stand - Free bicycle parking stands for small businesses and not-for-profit organisations, funded by Somerset County Council. If your organisation does not have parking for bicycles, encourage them to apply.
  • Bicycle User Groups - Information about setting up a BUG to represent the needs of cyclists in the workplace.
  • National Bike Week and Bike2Work Day - A week-long celebration of cycling every year in mid-June, suitable for all ages and cycling abilities. Includes National Bike2Work Day on the Wednesday of Bike Week. Please contact us for further details
  • Tax exemptions for encouraging travel by bicycle - Employers can pay up to 20p per mile to employees who use their own bikes for business travel. (This does not apply to bicycles provided under the Cycle To Work scheme when the employee still has monthly repayments outstanding).

Walking

  • Walking to Work - National Walk to Work Week and other celebrations of walking.
  • Walking for Health - Natural England's health walk finder for people whose health would be improved by more regular walking.
  • Change4Life - NHS sponsored programme encouraging more active lifestyles, including Walk4Life and Bike4Life campaigns.

Car Sharing

  • Employer schemes - Some of the larger employers in Somerset run their own car sharing schemes, helping employees find other workers to share lifts with.
  • Car Share Somerset - A free, online car share scheme provided by Somerset County Council. Register your journey details on the website, then search for others making similar journeys to share with.
  • Tax exemptions for encouraging travel by car sharing - Employers can pay an additional 5p per passenger per mile for employees giving other employees a lift while travelling on business.

Flexible Working