Offering a helping hand to businesses

Electric bikes for loan to workplaces across the county . . . here's another initiative by the county council to encourage active and sustainable travel to and from work.

The loan scheme is already proving to be a big hit at health and fashion giants Next, with 10 bikes now being used by staff at their Enderby base .

Sarah Mcalinden, team leader for Travel2Next, the company's sustainable travel section, said: "The bike loan scheme has already made a real difference. The bikes are available for staff to use to commute to work as well as for travelling to meetings or events during the working day. It's really changing the culture here."

The new bikes, funded by the county council with assistance from the Department for Transport, are part of a wider initiative to promote sustainable methods of transport which can help to save money, reduce personal contributions to carbon emissions and help with physical and mental health. 

Blake Pain, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Offering these bikes out on loan to businesses is a great way for commuters to try cycling to work and we hope, through this scheme, to have many more people across Leicestershire choosing to this option instead of driving.

“As a council, we declared a climate emergency in May and part of our huge commitment towards tackling climate change is to offer residents and businesses the tools to reduce their own carbon emissions.

"I would encourage businesses to take the opportunity to borrow our electric bikes free of charge as I think they will be surprised at the difference it can make to their work place's  attitude and culture.”

For businesses interested in taking part in the scheme, contact the council’s Choose How You Move team at: choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk