Cycle to work scheme at ONS

​FOI REF: FOI/2023/5086 

You asked

In consideration of the climate crisis, I would like to request the following information about how the organisation is enabling staff to reduce their emissions through sustainable transport, and more specifically, cycling.

1) Over the past five years, broken down by year:

a) How many staff members used the Cycle to Work scheme? b) What percentage of staff was this? c) What was the average value of the vouchers claimed on the scheme? d) What was the number of those who took up the scheme, who then failed to complete, leaving the organisation with costs?

2) What tools does the organisation use to encourage cycling for their staff:

a) On a work basis b) On a leisure/health basis 

3) With regards to staff, does the organisation:

a) Have any monitoring for what modes of transport staff use i) For their journey to work ii) For journeys during work time b) And if this data is recorded, I request a copy of such data as detailed as it can be reasonably given, while still protecting personal data rights. 

4) How many of the following does the organisation have available for staff use:

a) Pedal cycles b) Electric bikes c) Motorbikes d) Internal combustion cars e) Electric or hybrid cars f) Internal combustion vans g) Electric or hybrid vans h) Heavy trucks 

5) Does the organisation mileage scheme clearly state the claim rate for cycling? 

6) How many cycling miles have been claimed by the organisation's staff in the past five years? 

7) Regarding your current cycle to work scheme:

a) What scheme is currently in place? b) What is the maximum limit on the cost of a bike, if a limit is currently in place?

We said

​Thank you for your enquiry. 

Q1) Please see associated download "FOI 5086 Question 1 response" 

Q2) There a several ways in which we encourage staff to cycle through both work and on a health/leisure basis these include: 

• Regular promotion of Cycle to Work Day. In August 2022 the Health and Wellbeing Volunteer Group focussed on cycling to work (and other places) - including highlighting Cycle to Work Day on Thursday 4 August 

• Blogs on personal accounts of cycle commuting and cycling as a hobby 

• Cycle parking, showers and lockers available in all office sites 

• Cycle2Work Scheme available to all staff and promoted through our total benefits package 

Q3) We know anecdotally that people do cycle to work, but travel to work mode is not recorded. 

The modes of transport used for journeys during work time are not monitored in isolation but are captured as part of cost monitoring of business travel expenses and the reimbursement to employees for allowable expenses. 

Business travel and expense cost monitoring data for the 2022/23 Financial Year captured the following modes of transport: 

• Car (mileage reimbursement and hire car costs) 

• Flights (domestic and international) 

• Taxi 

• Rail 

• Bus 

• Ferry 

Q4) We currently have 0 (zero) of the listed modes of transport for staff to use.

Q5) Our mileage claim rate is clearly highlighted for cycling in our Travel & Subsistence Policy. 

Q6) Total miles claimed for on bicycles is 1,199 miles. Please see the associated download named "FOI 5086 Question 6 response" for annual breakdown. 

Q7)  We currently offer a cycle to work scheme. The scheme is run via a salary sacrifice colleagues therefore do not pay tax or national insurance on the portion of the salary being used to repay the loan, saving them between 32% and 42% on the cost of the bicycle and accessories. This reduced cost is simply deducted from salaries over 12 months. The scheme allows colleagues to shop in-store at Halfords, Tredz or one of the independent shops we work with. 

The maximum value is currently £3000 on the cost of a bike.