Edenred Finds that Cycle-to-work Scheme can Prevent Sick Days

LONDON, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Employee benefits provider, Edenred has found that only the minority of cyclists who own a bike actually cycle to work despite the fact that around 2.25 million UK employees are regular cyclists.

The company has also found that by closing the "UK Bike Commuting Gap" employers have the potential to save sick days. Edenred has found that by encouraging just one third of those who don't cycle to work to either commute fully or partially to work, employers could actually save one million  sick days a year. This would then double the 744,000 regular cyclists which were identified in the census figures to 5.6% of UK workers.

Employers can introduce cycle-to-work schemes which have the ability to help the rate at which sickness absences fall. It doesn't just have to be employees that already cycle to work either, as it has been found that 54% of users who cycle-to-work are actually new to bike commuting. Edenred have explained that the scheme acts as an incentive and employees can actually save money on travel costs which are increasing by commuting to work via bike.

Of the 54%, 88,731 new users who joined the cycle-to-work scheme in 2013 are expected to save 115, 30 sick days this year.

Andy Philpott, sales and marketing director at Edenred, said: "Cycle-to-work is an area where everyone gains so it makes sense for organisations of all sizes to play their part in helping tackle the UK Bike Commuting Gap.

Employers benefit from the improved business performance which goes hand-in-hand with a healthier more resilient workforce who take less time off sick each year.

Employees stand to save money, substantially reduce the risk of heart disease or obesity and improve their quality of life."

To view the "Employer's Guide to cycle to Work" report visit http://www.edenred.co.uk.