On our bike

Cycle loan scheme lowers the bar for bike commuting “You can guarantee when you’re going to arrive at your meeting when you go by bike.” Helping people discover the less obvious benefits of cycling in the capital is part of the reason that Southwark Council is lending bikes to businesses and other organisations in the borough. And it was the reliability factor that particularly impressed Mindi Sorya of the Bede House Association, which has two bikes under the Southwark scheme. Her manager, Verity Mihai, still drives to work but uses one of the scheme bikes for getting to and from meetings during the day. It also saves time and money, and provides light exercise. The bicycle loan scheme, organised by the council and environmental charity SEA/Renue as part of the Transport for London Good Going initiative, comes complete with bike helmets, reflective vests, locks, maps, regular services and insurance. Participants that have signed up so far include Cable & Wireless and the Peabody Trust as well as Bede House and 15 others. After six months they have the option of walking away, buying the bikes at cost, or hiring them with full maintenance support. A further £23,000 in funding recently received from Transport for London will help with plans to extend the scheme. Cable & Wireless have taken six bikes, including a folding one, and is hoping that the scheme will get more workers commuting by bike. “We offer a 20p a mile bicycle mileage allowance, have excellent cycle parking, showers, changing rooms, lockers and a smart casual dress code,” says planning manager James Barber. The scheme will allow workers to try out commuting without having to buy a bike, but Barber is also promoting the bikes for short jaunts to the river Thames, and even for weekends away. - Kath Stathers

17 June 2005

Kath Stathers