There is a lot of talk in the media about the benefits of owning an electric bike in the context of private ownership when actually one of the biggest areas of growth in electric bike and ecargo bikes is business. There are real, tangible benefits for businesses if they invest in ebikes. Here are our Top 5.
The scheme is a UK Government tax exemption initiative that was introduced in the Finance Act 1999 to encourage healthier cycling journeys to work and reduce pollution. It allows employers to hire bikes and safety equipment to their employees as a tax-free benefit and then at the end of the scheme, ownership is transferred to the employee.
Employers of any size across public, private or voluntary sectors can offer their staff this benefit as long as they are paid via PAYE.
For more information on how it works go to our Cycle to Work page where we answer the most common questions.
Making Electric Bikes available for staff to commute to work has many benefits. It's cheaper than driving for them, it's definitely greener and your staff will be healthier both in body and mind which will help reduce stress, illness and absence. Employers can save money too. For it to work for the business though, they have to be onboard with it’s aims and not just use it as a tick in a box for employee benefits. If senior management actively encourage it, it can drive a significant culture change in the business for the benefit of the employer and the employees. It’s a cost neutral benefit you can offer your employees
Talk to us. We can come and do a demo day for your staff.
Pool bikes are a great way to encourage staff to try cycling without the commitment of Cycle to Work or buying a bike. Staff that do some exercise will be healthier and less stressed which will help to reduce company illness and absence too. Think of Electric Bikes as an effective absence management tool. It allows staff to borrow a bike for perhaps a lunchtime spin or a commute home. A try before they buy.
Additionally, for large sites or campuses, pool bikes are also a great way for your employees to move themselves and their equipment around your site quickly. A clean, green on-site transport solution. Electric Cargo box bikes are great for moving equipment for example.
Corporate responsibility (CR) is a term used to describe the impact an organisation has on society, the environment and the economy. Having an effective CR programme contributes positively to all stakeholders as well as adding value to the organisation itself and promoting sustainability. CR is a PR win so telling the world how you’ve invested in electric bikes to encourage a healthier lifestyle amongst your staff or replaced short car journeys, for example, shows how investing in electric bikes is just a sensible, sound business choice to make. It positively affects everyone and the business.
For outright, in your face, promotion though, an electric box cargo bike is a real eye-catcher because they are still relatively new in the UK and unseen. A real talking point because most people don’t know what to make of them. They are suitable for any sized business whether you simply park it outside your shop all day or use a fleet of them for local deliveries or journeys. A business with an electric cargo bike will turn heads.
Hire bikes don’t need to be just available from hire centres. Are you a hotel or holiday park owner? Or a Tour Operator? Even cruise ships are taking electric bikes with them now so customers can get around much more easily than walking and see more. For hotels, resorts and holiday park owners, electric bikes are really popular with guests because it allows them to cheaply get off site and see the local area without the need for their car, taxi or public transport. They can be a unique selling point businesses can offer their customers to set themselves apart from their local competition. A real marketing win.
In urban environments, electric cargo bikes offer a cheap, clean and green way to deliver or visit your customers vs traditional cars/vans. Growth in this sector is faster than anywhere else in the industry as companies begin to understand the implications of traffic congestion, air pollution and climate change on their business model.
Delivery companies like PedalMe and Zedify are thriving as an alternative delivery option and Amazon and DPD, for example, are trialling last mile deliveries by ecargobike too
There is always a lot of pushback when ecargo bikes are touted as alternatives to vans but if you dig into the detail they are just quicker, faster and cheaper around towns and cities.
If you want to try an electric cargo bike, get in touch
Myth #1: You Can't Get Much In A Cargo Bike.
Yes vans are bigger. Yes they can carry more but they are never always full. In fact research by TfL suggests that at anytime, 39% of vans are less than 25% full which means commercial cargo bike capacities are very competitive.
Myth #2: Delivery By Cargo Bike Is Slower And More Expensive
Vans get stuck in traffic. A lot. So they take longer. They also contribute to emissions and traffic congestion . On cost, speed is key and cargo bikes are proven to be faster. 60% faster when goods are delivered last-mile from city-centre hubs. The big carriers are beginning to wake up to this now and we're beginning to see private courier firms like PedalMe flourish and the likes of Amazon, DHL & DPD trialling ecargo bike deliveries as customers want greener alternatives.
Myth #3: Cargo Bikes Are No Good In Bad Weather
If it rains you put a coat on or you use an umbrella. It's no different on a cargo bike. Riders simply wear appropriate clothing for the weather and the cargo box can be covered or closed.
What if it's snowing or icy? Well like a car or van, you would take a balanced view of how safe it is to drive in bad weather. Its the same riding an ecargo bike too. It's also a myth that Europe has much better weather than us where cargo bike deliveries are common.
Myth #4: EV's, Drones And Driverless Pods Are The Future
They may have a part to play in the future of logistics but the tech is new, unproven and we have a climate crisis to deal with right now. We can't wait for them, cargo bikes on the other hand are ready to roll!
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About the Author
Paul is our IT & Technical Operations Manager and has been cycling for over 35 years with over a decade of industry experience as well.
Paul started racing when he was 16 years old and has raced all over the UK on the road, track and offroad. In 2009 he opened his own cycle shop and ran that for six years until he took a brief break from the industry before returning in 2017.
He has hung his racing wheels up now preferring to ride socially with the odd event. Touring is a new passion. He likes to pack up his panniers and go on a short tour and write about it on his blog.
Paul lives in North Worcestershire and has worked for The Electric Bike Shop since 2020. He is one our most experienced cyclists and industry professionals.
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