Cycle to Work

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To encourage a healthier lifestyle and reduce our carbon footprint, Belfast Trust operates a Cycle voucher scheme. The scheme enables staff to sacrifice part of their salary with savings of up to 42% in return for a brand new bike and safety accessories to be used for cycling to work.

Cycle to Work Prize Draw

 Read Madhuri Rao’s story to find out how she got into cycling

Madhuri Rao, an NHS worker living in Northern Ireland, now commutes with confidence after completing the Women Into Cycling programme

With the support of our Sustrans Active Travel Officer, Dianne Whyte, cycled Madhuri through the cross-city route to show her how to safely navigate rush-hour traffic, emboldened her to swap the bus for her bike.

“The whole experience was absolutely amazing. I’m not new to cycling, I have been doing it for as long as I can remember. But once I moved to Belfast, I noticed that the traffic was a bit intimidating, not very cyclist-friendly, which made me hesitant. Then I heard about the Sustrans course through my work in the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust.

“It doesn’t matter how much experience you have cycling, you learn about all the little things you don’t necessarily think of before you even get back on again, like how to properly check and maintain your bike.

“I never thought much about how to care for my bike. If it broke down, I brought it to a repair shop. But I learned to do so many things for myself, it was so enlightening!

I got to meet some nice people, have fun and learn about new routes.

The cherry on the top was when Dianne cycled to work with me, she showed me the routes which I thought was amazing. Otherwise I would not have had the confidence to take my work route. I appreciated that a lot, I’m really grateful.
It’s a journey of about 3.5 / 4 miles, parts on road with traffic and I would be nervous about how drivers behave around bikes, I didn’t feel like doing it on my own.

Dianne met me in the morning and I saw how she did it, and that gave me confidence. She also travelled back with me from work that day so I knew the route in both directions.

I’ve now started to notice other cyclists, seeing them riding in traffic gives me confidence so now I try to cycle to work about two or three times a week.

The journey takes me about 40 minutes each way, I don’t go fast but it’s still much quicker than before when I had to take two buses each way which took around an hour and a quarter.

I arrive at work energised and I feel the same way when I get home in the evenings. Before, it was a real struggle to make time for exercise with my commute and work taking up most of my day. Now I get two 40-minute sessions as part of my day which is a big, big plus.

The infrastructure in Belfast is getting better by the day but if I had a wish, it would be for drivers to be a bit more friendly to cyclists and for cycle paths to be better maintained.”

Sustrans  – Cycle to Work Day, 7 August 2025 – Changing travel habits one day at a time

Cycle to Work Day is an annual event to celebrate people who choose two wheels over four and encourages more people to try it.

Getting people to switch their car to a bike, however, takes more than a day and is a journey in itself. For years government policy in Northern Ireland has described the importance of modal shift to active travel because of the huge benefits it brings to society and the individual.

More people cycling cuts traffic congestion, which costs the UK economy £7.7bn/year; reduces air pollution and is enormously beneficial for the cyclist’s health and well-being. Yet the percentage of journeys by bike in Northern Ireland has remained stubbornly stuck at 1% for more than a decade.

In the Walking and Cycling Index survey for Belfast, as many as 30% of Belfast residents say they want to drive less, yet 38% of residents often use a car because no other transport options are available.

So why is it so difficult to get modal shift and is there more that can be done to make it happen?

Annette Moore’s journey to cycling is a good example of the reality on the ground. The 54-year-old lives just two miles from her workplace at Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast. She currently drives to work but is keen to cycle instead.

Through Sustrans’ Leading the Way programme, funded by the Public Health Agency, Annette took part in a series of lunchtime cycles at the nearby Musgrave Park. She hadn’t cycled since she was a child but found the lunchtime cycles really enjoyable.

“I like walking, and I’d previously completed the Couch to 5km and had taken up jogging,” she said. “I found there is a freedom that comes with cycling – you can go a bit further and it’s good to get outside. Cycling is beneficial for both physical and mental health.”

David Tumilty, Health Improvement Manager, PHA said:

“Cycle to Work day is a great chance to celebrate anyone who chooses to cycle to work, and encourage everyone to experience the many benefits that cycling can bring. Regular cycling is a great way to build physical activity into your daily routine – it helps improve cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, supports mental wellbeing and can contribute to maintaining a healthy weight.

“Choosing to cycle also benefits the environment by reducing air pollution and cutting down carbon emissions, helping to create cleaner, healthier places for us all to live and work. I would encourage anyone to use Cycle to Work Day as inspiration to give it a go – even small changes like, swapping one or two car journeys a week for a bike ride can make a real difference.

“Try it, feel the health benefits, and know you’re doing something positive for both your health and the planet.”

Annette stepped up a gear by enrolling in Sustrans’ six-week Women into Cycling course and achieved her Level 2 on-road cycle training.

“I really enjoyed it. Dianne Whyte who runs the course is brilliant. It helped give me the confidence to try to cycle on roads.”

Despite only living two miles from work, Annette would have to navigate one of the busiest roads in Northern Ireland – Stockman’s Lane which connects south Belfast to the west of the city and the M1 motorway.

“I come from west Belfast and can cycle in the bus lane along the Falls Road,” she said. “The traffic gets very busy at the Westwood shopping centre junction. I would then have to use the footpath at Stockman’s Lane and go through Musgrave Park to reach work. I know I could do the journey in 15 to 20 minutes but I’m fearful of the traffic particularly during the busiest times of the day.”

Essentially despite being a capable cyclist, Annette has no safe, continuous cycle route to reach her workplace at the Belfast Trust – one of the biggest employers in the city.

“I think having a cycle buddy at the same stage as me would help me with venturing out on the bike. I’m now focusing on my fitness and trying to get my stamina up to ensure a safe cycling speed on main roads.”

Annette has borrowed a foldable e-bike from Sustrans and is planning to continue her journey to get more active.

“My grandson is now out on his bike, and I want to be able to show him how to cycle safely from what I’ve learned with Sustrans,” she said. “My aim is to go to Amsterdam with my daughter where it is so much safer to cycle.”

“I would totally recommend people take up cycling to avail of cycling schemes in the workplace to enable cycling to work if they can. Providing safe routes for cycling is vital. As well as that sometimes all you need is that bit of support and confidence to get on your bike.”

The Department for Infrastructure published the Belfast Cycling Network Plan in 2022 and several schemes are at design stage.

Sustrans view is that there is strong evidence that the lack of infrastructure is the biggest barrier to getting more people cycling but it is also important to provide behaviour change programmes, like Leading the Way to give people the confidence and skills to begin a travel habit for life not just one day.

Ends

For further information, contact: Anne Madden, Policy and Communications Manager – email: anne.madden@sustrans.org.uk / mobile: 078 2655 6416

Notes to editors:

• Find out more about the Leading the Way Programme on our website at this link. From September the Women into Cycling course is moving from six weeks to a two-week Saturday course. Apply here Women into Cycling (Saturday programme) Registration, Sat 20 Sep 2025 at 09:00 | Eventbrite
• Sustrans works for and with communities, helping them come to life by walking, wheeling and cycling. We campaign to create healthier places and happier lives for everyone. Join us on our journey. sustrans.org.uk
• Sustrans is a registered charity in England and Wales (number 326550) Scotland (SC039263) and the Republic of Ireland (20206824).

Factfile: [ref: Walking and Cycling Index Belfast 2023]

• People walking and cycling in Belfast take more than 80,000 cars off the road every day (by people who could have used a car).
• More than 700 long term health conditions are prevented by people walking & cycling in Belfast.
• 65% of residents support building more cycle paths physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, even when this would mean less room for other road traffic.
• There are just 2 miles of separated cycle paths in Belfast – this figure hasn’t changed in five years.
• 12% of residents cycle at least once a week in Belfast. Just 7% of women cycle at least once a week compared to 16% of men in Belfast.

For the Leading the Way project, Sustrans works with the following public sector employers in Belfast:

• Public Health Agency (Belfast).
• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
• Belfast City Council.
• Business Services Organisation.
• Department for Infrastructure.
• Ulster University

In Derry~Londonderry:

• Derry City and Strabane District Council.
• Public Health Agency (Gransha Park House).
• Western Health and Social Care Trust.
• Magee campus of UU

The Leading the Way programme is open to all Belfast employees of:

Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Belfast City Council
Business Services Organisation
Department for Infrastructure
Public Health Agency

The Leading the Way team would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on how your workplace can keep supporting your Active Travel journey. Would you like to see different events or activities, advice or information? Click the button below

All you need to know about the Cycle2Work Voucher Scheme

The Cycle2work voucher promotes greater use of bicycles as a sustainable mode of transport to encourage healthier journeys and reduce environmental pollution.

It is also a wonderful way of saving money while travelling to work.

With the number of queries on the increase, we thought it would help to outline some of the most frequently asked questions.

What is Cycle2work?

• Cycle2work is an employee benefit backed by the government, which offers the most cost-effective way to get new bike and cycling accessories.
• Halfords provide vouchers to staff
• The scheme operates through a salary sacrifice, which means you will not pay tax or national insurance – saving you between 32% and 42%.
• This reduced cost is deducted out of your payslip over 12 months, so no need to worry about large one-off costs.
• During the 12 months, the bike still belongs to the Trust and ownership is then transferred to the extended hire agreement through Halfords.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Do I have to cycle to work every day?

In short, no. The government guidelines state that you should use your bike and accessories for commuting to work for at least 50% of its usage.

However, you do not have to log your bike’s mileage and we thoroughly encourage you to use your bike in your spare time.

Can I use Cycle2work to get a bike for a family member, partner, or friend?

No, the bike must be used by you for commuting to work.

Can I get more than one bike?

No, the Cycle2work voucher scheme only allows one bike per application.

What is the maximum value I can apply for?

The maximum limit is £1,500, which now includes E-bikes

How do I know how much to apply for?

We recommend that you find your perfect bike and accessories before applying so you know exactly what amount to apply for.

This way, you will not apply for too much or too little. This is important because you cannot amend your application once you have been approved.

Can I apply more than once within the 12 months?

No, you cannot apply more than once within 12 months. However, you can re-apply for another bike after your current scheme deductions have ended.

What bikes and accessories are available?

As per HMRC guidance, you can get any adult bike brands on the UK market. There is also a vast range of safety accessories available for you to choose from, including:

• cycle helmets
• reflectors and lights, including dynamo packs
• bike locks and chains
• mudguards and mirrors
• bags, baskets, phone holders, panniers, and pannier racks
• cycle clothing, shoes, cycle clips and dress guards
• hydration packs, water bottles and holders
• bells and bulb horns
• child safety seats and trailers
• pumps, puncture repair kits, tyre sealant and cycle tools
• bike lube and cleaning equipment
• tyres, inner tubes, and wheels
• pedals, saddles, drivetrain, and brakes
• battery packs and chargers for electric bikes

Can I just get accessories without the bike?

No, you must get a bike under the Belfast Trust scheme

Can I add my own money to my letter of collection?

No, you are not allowed to use your own money to add funds or ‘top up’ your letter of collection.

What happens if an employee leaves their job?

Once signed, the hire agreement is binding following a cooling-off period of 14 working days after collection of the goods.

This means that if an employee leaves their employment during the hire period, they are obliged to pay the remaining salary sacrifice amount in full from net pay, ie. without any tax exemptions.

Will applying for a Cycle2work voucher affect my pension or other benefits?

Potentially. Salary sacrifice reduces gross salary so this may affect pension arrangements and / or other benefits such as statutory maternity or paternity pay, statutory sick pay and working tax credits, as these are calculated on your actual earnings.

If you would like more detail on salary sacrifice and the impact on benefits, this is available on the HMRC website at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/specialist/salary_sacrifice.pdf

Can I claim mileage for cycling to work?

You can claim cycle mileage for business journeys through HRPTS Travel Claims – currently set at 20p per mile

For further information, visit the Cycle It section on The Loop.