When you’re looking for employee benefits that keep your staff happy and motivated, it’s easy to get pulled towards the flashy stuff. The perks that simply sound good on paper. However, the best benefits do more than tick a box. They make people feel better, they make work feel better and they help your business work better too.

That’s why the cycle to work scheme benefits offered by Cyclescheme are worth your consideration. If you want a simple, cost-positive way to support employee wellbeing and boost productivity whilst strengthening your benefits package and making your workplace more attractive to talent, Cyclescheme gives a lot of value with minimal effort. It’s free to join, easy to run and trusted by over 50,000 employers across the UK. Better still, it helps your people save money, feel healthier and arrive at work more energised. That’s a win for everyone.

What is Cyclescheme and how does it work?

Cyclescheme is the UK’s original cycle to work provider. For 20 years, it’s helped both employers and employees save money whilst making cycling more accessible through salary sacrifice. Here’s how it works.

Your employee chooses a bike, e-bike and/or cycling accessories, which you as the employer ‘buy’. The cost is then repaid through salary sacrifice over an agreed period (usually a year) which means the payments come out of the employee’s salary before tax and National Insurance. By doing this, employees can save up to 47% on the cost of their cycling package while spreading the cost through interest-free monthly repayments. For employers, the benefit is equally straightforward. You recover the full cost of the package through payroll deductions, and because it’s a salary sacrifice benefit, you can also save up to 13.8% on Employer National Insurance Contributions.

So when people talk about cycle to work scheme benefits, they’re not just talking about bikes. They’re talking about healthier commutes, lower stress, real savings and a practical employee benefit that works for everyone.

Why employers are paying more attention to cycle to work scheme benefits

Right now, employers are under pressure to offer attractive working environments and competitive employment packages. You want to support employee wellbeing and improve engagement with benefits that people will actually use, and you want to achieve that without creating extra admin or stretching budgets beyond reason.

That’s where Cyclescheme stands out. It’s not another underused or costly perk that sits in the background. It’s a high-impact and cost-effective benefit that supports physical health, promotes mental wellbeing and is accessible to everyone in one neat package. In a world where people expect more from work and want to feel motivated to show up at their very best, that matters a great deal.

Happier employees with less stress

A good commute can change the outlook of someone’s day, while a bad one can ruin it before it’s even begun. Cycling gives people a positive start, offering fresh air, movement, morning clarity and a sense of control over their travel. Instead of getting frustrated sitting in traffic or squeezing onto packed and delayed public transport, they get to move at their own pace and arrive feeling more awake and alert.

This is why Cyclescheme’s own survey found that 82% of participants said they felt less stressed after cycle commuting. When people feel calmer and healthier, it doesn’t just show in their mood but also how they work and how they handle the demands of their role. That’s one of the biggest cycle to work scheme benefits for employers. You’re not only offering practical savings, but you’re helping people build a better daily routine that genuinely improves their mental health.

Better health means higher motivation and productivity

Happier and healthier people tend to work harder. If this sounds obvious… well, that’s because it is. Employees who engage in active travel like cycling are often more productive in the workplace, taking an average of 1.3 fewer sick days annually than non-cyclists. They get to work feeling more switched on and they’re improving their health in the process.

This makes a huge difference in any workforce that adopts a cycle to work scheme. Not only does it help you get the best out of your employees on a professional level, but it also sends a clear message: you care about how your team gets to work, how they feel when they get there, and you want to help them make healthier choices. You’re not just offering a bike benefit. You’re also creating a workplace that feels modern, supportive and switched on to what people actually need for their mental and physical wellbeing, and this is reflected in employee productivity.

Supporting financial wellbeing in way that makes a difference

From 2010 to 2026, commuting costs have risen by a staggering 40% in the UK, and that cost will only continue to grow year after year. Fortunately, one of the most practical cycle to work scheme benefits is the money it can save employees. As mentioned earlier, employees can save up to 47% on new bikes, electric bikes, accessories and safety equipment by spreading the cost through salary sacrifice interest-free. That can make a huge difference. For someone who wants to start cycling but feels put off by the upfront cost, the scheme removes a major barrier. It turns “maybe one day” into “actually, I can do this now.”

The total savings don’t stop at the bike itself either. For many employees, cycling also reduces everyday commuting costs because it means less fuel, less parking and less reliance on expensive public transport. In fact, Cyclescheme’s calculator estimates that, for a three-mile daily commute, switching from car to bike could save around £100 a year on fuel alone. When people are feeling the pressure of household bills and rising travel costs, a benefit that helps them save more and stress less has real value. That’s because, as covered earlier, less stress gives your employees more mental clarity to be more productive every day in the workplace.

Giving employees plenty of choice

Choice matters if you want people to actually use a benefit. Cyclescheme works with over 2,600 bike shops across the UK, which is more than any other scheme provider. That includes local independent retailers, major cycling stores, online bike retailers and brand-direct options. This means employees can choose the bike and cycling gear that suits their needs as well as their confidence level with cycling.

That might be a classic commuter bike. It might be electric bikes that make longer rides feel more manageable. It might be accessories or cycling gear that make everyday riding safer and easier. This flexibility is one of the cycle to work scheme benefits that makes Cyclescheme stand out. It gives people the freedom to ride their way. Inclusive benefits like this ensure that everyone in your workforce is considered and accounted for. This makes employees feel valued, which results in improved retention and greater enthusiasm in their roles with your company.

Attracting great people

All of the cycle to work scheme benefits covered above, from increased employee productivity and motivation to improved health and mental wellbeing, are exactly what talent looks for when searching for new roles. When a strong employment package includes benefits that people genuinely value, it helps you stand out as a company. And when people can see that an employer supports the health, happiness, and financial wellbeing of its entire workforce with inclusive perks, it’s what drives high performing employees towards your company.

This results in hard-working, loyal and positive employees who appreciate you as an employer and who are more likely to stay long term. Put simply, a workplace that provides benefits that work for everyone is the kind of workplace people want to be a part of.

Why Cyclescheme is the trusted choice

There are many reasons employers choose Cyclescheme as their cycle to work scheme provider. Over the last two decades it has helped more than 1.2 million people access cycling through work, and that number only keeps on growing, with more and more employers and employees discovering the cycle to work scheme benefits that come with Cyclescheme.

Those benefits don’t just include employee wellbeing and productivity either. We’ve already touched on how Cyclescheme can help both businesses and staff save money while boosting mental and physical health, but it also comes with other benefits such as improved sustainability, scalability for companies of all sizes and an easy-to-use set-up that requires minimal admin to implement and manage.

So if you’re looking for a simple, secure and sustainable way to improve your employees’ quality of life whilst reaping real benefits for everyone in your workforce, Cyclescheme is the way to go. Learn more today and make these cycle to work scheme benefits a reality.

Cycle to work scheme benefits FAQs

How long does it take to get a bike through Cyclescheme?

In many cases, employees receive their Certificate within 3 to 14 days of applying. Timing can vary depending on employer approval, but one of the practical cycle to work scheme benefits is that the process is usually quick and straightforward.

Can employees use Cyclescheme for cycling equipment and accessories only?

Yes. A bike isn’t the only option. One of the lesser-known cycle to work scheme benefits is that employees can apply for eligible cycling equipment and cycling gear too, such as helmets, locks, lights, mudguards, clothing and other safety equipment.

Who is eligible for the cycle to work scheme?

One of the practical cycle to work scheme benefits is that eligibility is straightforward. Employees usually need to be aged 16 or over (with under 18 year olds needing a guardian to sign a guarantor agreement), paid through PAYE, and still earn at least National Minimum Wage after the salary sacrifice has been taken.

Can employees get an e-bike through Cyclescheme?

Yes. Electric bikes are included, which is one of the most inclusive cycle to work scheme benefits. They can make commuting feel more achievable for people returning to cycling, riding longer distances or wanting extra support on hills and tougher routes.

Can part-time employees access cycle to work scheme benefits?

Yes. Part-time employees can still enjoy cycle to work scheme benefits, as long as their salary after deductions remains above the National Minimum Wage. This makes the scheme accessible to a wider workforce.

Can employees use the bike for personal journeys too?

Yes. While the scheme is designed for commuting, one of the more lifestyle-focused cycle to work scheme benefits is that employees can also use their bike for personal rides, such as weekend trips or fitness.

How does Cyclescheme help reduce commuting delays?

Cycling often avoids traffic and public transport disruptions. One of the practical bike to work scheme benefits is giving employees a more reliable and predictable commute, helping them arrive on time and less frustrated.

How does Cyclescheme help to build a positive workplace culture?

Offering meaningful benefits matters. One of the long-term cycle to work scheme benefits is that it helps create a culture focused on wellbeing, a sustainable future and employee support, which can strengthen engagement and team morale.