Pedal Your Way to Health, Savings & Sustainability
1. Why Cycle to Work Day Matters
Every year, the UK celebrates Cycle to Work Day on the first Thursday of August—this year falling on Thursday 7 August 2025. It’s more than just a day: it’s a nationwide invitation to embrace active commuting, transforming the daily grind into a rejuvenating and sustainable experience. This campaign is backed by prominent organisations like Cycling UK and marks a flourishing movement towards healthier, greener, and more inclusive urban travel.
Cycling to work delivers a compelling range of benefits:
- Health Boosts: Regular riding enhances cardiovascular fitness and mental well-being—active commuting can halve your risk of early mortality, including a 51% lower risk of dying from cancer, while also reducing hospital admissions and prescriptions for psychiatric drugs.
- Savings: After the initial investment, maintenance costs are low. Purchasing a bike via the Cycle to Work scheme—a salary sacrifice benefit—can slash the price by up to 42%, making cycling even more affordable.
- Fewer Congestions & Lower Emissions: Replacing car trips with bike commutes improves air quality and urban livability, easing traffic in densely populated cities and contributing to national carbon reduction goals.
- Efficiency & Productivity: Many urban riders find cycling faster and more predictable than commuting by car or bus. A reliable commute reduces stress and enables a more focused, energised start to the workday.
- Wellness & Corporate Benefits: Active commuters generally take fewer sick days, experience higher job satisfaction, and report improved work-life balance—making cycling a boon for both employee wellbeing and workplace morale.
2. What the Day Looks Like Across the UK
Communities across the country are turning 7 August into an inspiring and vibrant celebration of cycling:
- Brighton & Hove: Bike riders can enjoy cycle breakfasts at cafes offering free pastries and coffee, bike maintenance check-ups courtesy of Bike Boom, and more—all between 8:00 and 10:30 am. There’s even a chance to win repair stands for your workplace!
- Leicester: Free fruit awaits bike commuters at the Town Hall Bike Park (8:00–10:00 am), plus the chance to win a £25 gift card via the BetterPoints app. Dr Bike maintenance and security marking sessions will also be available midday.
- Newcastle: Cyclists can participate in guided rides along the Quayside, connect with local cycling groups, and enjoy exclusive discounts at independent cafes for riders who show their helmet or high-vis gear.
- Manchester: Pop-up cycle lanes and local employer partnerships are enabling employees to trial cycling routes with company-sponsored incentives, including free helmets, bike lights, and water bottles.
These local activations add a playful, communal spin to Cycle to Work Day, amplifying its impact—whether you’re in Brighton, Leicester, London, Newcastle, or beyond. Local councils and businesses alike are recognising the value of encouraging active travel, and participation continues to grow each year.
3. How the Cycle to Work Scheme Works
At the heart of the initiative is the Cycle to Work scheme, a UK Government-endorsed salary sacrifice benefit introduced under the Finance Act 1999. It allows employees to hire a bicycle and safety equipment tax efficiently—then either purchase, extend, or return it at the end of the hiring period.
How it usually works:
- Select a bike and equipment.
- Employer purchases it upfront and offers the employee a hire agreement via salary sacrifice.
- Employee repays over 12–18 months from gross salary—yielding savings on income tax and National Insurance (up to ~42%). Employers also benefit through reduced National Insurance costs.
At the end of the hire period, you can:
- Extend the hire agreement (often nearly free),
- Pay a fair market value one-off fee to take ownership, or
- Return the bike and opt out.
Many participants choose to extend the agreement or buy the bike outright at a reduced rate. It’s a win-win for both employees and employers, aiming to boost sustainability and wellbeing.
Moreover, the scheme is inclusive of e-bikes and adapted cycles, making cycling accessible to people with varying physical abilities and fitness levels. As awareness spreads and employers prioritise greener benefits, participation in the scheme continues to grow.
4. Workplace Benefits and Better Cycling Infrastructure
The Cycle to Work scheme isn’t just for individuals—it offers tangible corporate benefits:
- Employee Wellness: Active commuting reduces absenteeism; cyclists can take 1.3 fewer sick days per year. Regular physical activity also improves mental clarity, mood, and overall job performance.
- Financial & Tax Savings: Employers recover the upfront cost and enjoy National Insurance savings while supporting a more engaged and energised workforce.
- Talent Attraction: Companies promoting sustainable commuting are seen as progressive and caring—an attractive trait in recruiting, especially among younger professionals and eco-conscious talent pools.
For workplaces to truly support cycling, infrastructure plays a vital role. Secure bike parking like stands and shelters, shower facilities, changing rooms, and clear signage all encourage consistent participation. Employees are far more likely to continue cycling if they know their equipment is protected and they can comfortably transition into the workday.
Organisations that invest in these facilities not only show support for staff wellbeing but also demonstrate commitment to sustainability and long-term planning. Cycle-friendly workplaces are fast becoming a benchmark for modern, employee-centric business practices.
5. How to Join Cycle to Work Day
Here’s a handy roadmap to make the most of the day:
- Prepare Your Ride: Give your bike a quick check-up or visit a local “Dr Bike” session for free maintenance and safety assessments.
- Pledge to Ride: Even a once-a-week ride counts—post a selfie with #CycleToWorkDay or #CyclingUK to inspire others.
- Join Local Events: Pop in at cafes in Brighton, gather free fruit in Leicester, or ride with colleagues in Manchester—many workplaces are hosting morning socials or lunchtime ride-outs.
- Highlight Your Workplace’s Support: Share internal initiatives, photos of bike-friendly office spaces, or even a team leaderboard for most miles cycled.
- Engage Online: Encourage staff and customers to share their journey. Social media activity helps build momentum and raises awareness of the day.
- Encourage Long-Term Change: Use the day as a launchpad to promote regular cycling. Consider setting up a workplace challenge or campaign to keep the wheels turning well after 7 August.
6. Wrapping Up
Cycle to Work Day 2025 is more than a campaign—it’s a celebration of what’s possible when we choose better ways to travel. Whether you’re looking to improve your commute, cut costs, boost your fitness, or support a more sustainable city, hopping on a bike this August 7 is a great place to start.
From free breakfasts to guided rides, the UK is making it easier than ever to enjoy the ride. Councils, communities, and companies are working together to enable this transition, showing that a small change in how we travel can lead to big impacts on our health, cities, and the planet.
So dust off your wheels, join the movement, and let this year’s Cycle to Work Day be your first step towards a healthier, more active lifestyle—one pedal stroke at a time.