Get on yer bike!

This month sees the re-opening of the Council’s Cycle to Work scheme that allows employees to pay for a new bike and equipment up to the value of £2000 over a 12 month period.

It means that you can make tax and national insurance savings and get yourself a nice new set of wheels.

One person who has benefitted from the scheme is Becky Shiell, principal teacher of pastoral care at Denny High School.

Becky cycles from her home to school most days, a distance of around four and a half miles.

She explained: “I tend to use my bike for getting to work and for leisure. I usually to cycle to work three days a week and then use it two or three times to go out for a cycle in evenings or at the weekend.

“I like saving money and reducing my carbon footprint by using my car less; I get exercise as part of a normal day rather than having to set time aside for it in my busy working and family life; if I have had a stressful day at work it allows me to get the stress out through cycling and to process my thoughts on the way home.

“I have always had a regular bike but this is my first electric bike and I am totally converted. You can change the level of assistance so if you can alter how hard you are having to work when you pedal. I couldn’t quite get my head around how it would work so I had a free trial of an electric bike first to check it would suit me and then went ahead and ordered one.

“I would highly recommend the scheme and an electric bike to anyone who is considering it. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about, exercising on my bike.”

The scheme closes again on 31 March.