Active transport, cycle to work scheme
Case reference FOI2023/00649
Published 3 May 2023
Request
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 Council 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?
Response
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 Council with costs?
In respect of questions 1(a)-(d) please note Herefordshire Council does not use a voucher scheme. The bike shop invoices the Council for the value of the bike plus accessories. Please see the attached table where we have provided the average value of invoices.
2) What tools does the organisation use to encourage cycling for their staff -
a) On a work basis
Herefordshire Council have staff sustainable travel intranet pages which include information about staff travel, pool cars and bike schemes and further information on business travel and commuting, including the cycle to work scheme. Staff have access to covered cycle parking, showers, changing, clothes storage and drying facilities at the main Council office base. Staff are also provided with free minutes for bike hire scheme bikes for business journeys. There are free park and cycle sites for commuters to park on the edge of Hereford City and finish their journey by bike.
b) on a leisure/health basis
Herefordshire council provide free adult cycle lessons and cycle route maps.
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
Herefordshire Council does not record staff modes of transport for commuting.
ii) For journeys during work time
This is recorded in terms of mileage claimed.
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
| Transport | Miles Claimed 2022-23 |
| Home to work Mileage (members only) | 1000 |
| Car Mileage (school staff only) | 74679.1 |
| Car Mileage with passengers(s) (school staff only) | 7589.3 |
| Motorcycle Mileage | 278 |
| Bicycle Mileage | 795.2 |
| Car Mileage | 887306.41 |
| TOTAL | 971648.01 |
4) How many of the following does the organisation have available for staff use
a) Pedal cycles
Zero - but staff can request free hire bike minutes for business use in Hereford.
b) Electric bikes
Zero
c) Motorbikes
Zero
d) Internal combustion cars
Zero
e) Electric or hybrid cars
6 electric cars; 5 hybrid (petrol/EV)
f) Internal combustion vans
31
g) Electric or hybrid vans
1 electric van
h) Heavy trucks
Zero
5) Does the organisation mileage scheme clearly state the claim rate for cycling?
Yes. The following are extracts from the mileage scheme guidance:
In accordance with the council's commitment to sustainable transport and its local travel plan, employees are encouraged to use public transport (for which approved costs will be reimbursed), car sharing and alternative methods of travel, other than by car, wherever possible. Cycles 20 pence per mile
6) How many cycling miles have been claimed by the organisation's staff in the past five years?
| Year | Bicycle miles claimed |
| 2022-23 | 795.2 |
| 2021-22 | 556.2 |
| 2020-21 | 263.15 |
| 2019-20 | 819.3 |
| 2018-19 | Not recorded |
7) Regarding your current cycle to work scheme -
a) What scheme is currently in place?
Herefordshire Council manages its own in-house cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme. It does not use a third-party provider.
b) What is the maximum limit on the cost of a bike, if a limit is currently in place?
Cycle and accessories are limited to a maximum value of £4,000.
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.