Despite cycling initiatives having been in operation in the UK since 1999, all too often, businesses don’t take advantage of these schemes. Even of those that do offer cycle-to-work schemes, many fail to properly promote them to their employees, missing out on the potential benefits to their staff and business as a result.

At NipNip, we have been at the forefront of championing corporate cycling initiatives for the past ten years, promoting healthier, more sustainable workplaces. That’s why we introduced our corporate bike sessions, offering businesses a practical way to encourage active commuting.

This article explores the advantages of corporate cycling and goes into detail about our expert-led bicycle maintenance classes and pop-up servicing events, highlighting how they encourage employees to cycle to work.

What Are Corporate Bike Sessions?

Corporate bike sessions are pop-up events held by a bicycle retailer or repair company that offer practical classes or services to businesses or organisations. These sessions are a great way of promoting cycling within your organisation and encouraging your staff to opt for this sustainable mode of transport.

Corporate bike sessions may cover the following services:

  • Bicycle Maintenance Classes: These informative sessions led by bicycle mechanics teach employees how to perform basic bike repairs and upkeep. This gives individuals the knowledge and expertise to keep their bikes in optimum condition and handle simple repairs should they encounter an issue while out on the road.

  • Bike Servicing: These pop-up workshops provide repairs and tune-ups for employees. Staff can simply bring their bikes to the session for servicing right there and then. Experienced bicycle mechanics will then check the safety of your bike, make improvements or even diagnose and repair a wide range of problems on the spot, enabling employees to get back to cycling.

Who Are These Sessions Designed For?

Bike maintenance sessions are created to cater to a wide range of needs, from novices and those who have never ridden a bike to seasoned cyclists. Below, we explain how these classes suit a variety of individuals.

Keen Cyclists

Even if you have employees who regularly cycle to work and appear to need little support from you to maintain this, they will most definitely appreciate a free service. Likewise, just because a person knows how to ride a bike does not mean they understand the basics of bike maintenance. They would benefit from learning a number of quick fixes that temporarily solve bike problems, giving them time to get their bike to a workshop for more comprehensive repairs.

Novice Cyclists

Whether your employees are just starting out with cycling or are yet to give it a go, a corporate bike session could be the little push they need to start. Equipping them with the practical knowledge to keep their bike safe might give them the confidence they need to give cycling to work a try.

The Benefits of Corporate Cycling for Businesses

Getting your workforce involved in cycling is highly beneficial for businesses. Whether a push to step up participation in cycle-to-work schemes is in an attempt to meet sustainability goals or simply to support employee well-being, corporate cycling brings benefits to both staff and the organisation itself.

Boosting Employee Health

Exercise plays an undeniable role in physical health. Cycling is, in fact, a sport that has a particularly significant effect on cardiovascular health, in turn reducing the risk of obesity and heart-related conditions. Cycling is also great for keeping muscles and joints flexible, and those who cycle outdoors regularly tend to have stronger immune systems, reducing the risk of picking up illness.

Improved Performance at Work

Mental well-being also has a drastic impact on employee performance. Regular cycling is linked to lower levels of stress, as well as improved sleep quality, focus and mood. Active employees tend to report higher energy levels and take fewer sick days.

With employees who cycle to work being more likely to feel energised and focused, they are likely to perform better. By investing in corporate bike sessions and promoting cycle-to-work schemes, you can help boost employee performance and enhance the productivity of your business.

Enhancing Corporate Sustainability Efforts

Encouraging your employees to cycle to work is a great way of working towards meeting corporate sustainability goals. By cutting down on car journeys or public transportation and switching to cycling, businesses can drastically reduce the carbon footprint associated with their organisation.

Dedication to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and meeting net-zero governmental goals reflects positively on a company’s image. So, by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and looking after the environment, businesses can make themselves more attractive to eco-conscious talent or clients.

Cost Savings

As activities go, cycling is fairly accessible as people only need to invest in a bike and helmet. With government incentives and cycle-to-work schemes, workplaces can further reduce the initial burden of buying a bike, making getting into cycling easier and more attractive. Via the cycle-to-work scheme, employees can save between 25-39% of the bike’s value and pay it off over a minimum of 12 months.

These payments are taken directly from their salary before tax, resulting in significant cost savings. This perk not only benefits employees but the company as well. Cycle-to-work payments reduce an employer’s National Insurance Contributions, so the more employees that join the scheme, the more money the company saves.

A Closer Look at NipNip’s Corporate Bike Services

At NipNip, our workplace cycling programmes operate in over 300 locations across London, delivering on-site cycle servicing and repair events to more than 1,000 companies and organisations. With nearly a decade of experience leading the cycle-to-work movement, we believe there’s never been a better time to support your cyclists.

We partner with businesses and building managers to encourage employees and tenants to embrace cycling for their daily commute. As more commuters seek safer ways to travel, our bike services are the perfect way to demonstrate your commitment to their well-being and start their day on a positive note.

Bike Servicing Pop-Ups

At our bike servicing sessions, we provide our bronze level of service to your employees. These services, spanning safety checks, tune-ups and minor repairs, are vital for keeping bikes in roadworthy condition. With maintenance conducted right there at the workplace, employees need not make the trip to a bike shop, making cycling easy to keep up with.

As you can imagine, all our bicycle mechanics are avid cyclists who have a wealth of experience cycling in London and the surrounding areas. In addition to performing essential bike servicing, these sessions give attendees a space to ask our bike specialists any questions they might have. Whether it be regarding bike care or commuting tips, expert advice helps encourage employees to cycle to and from work safely and confidently.

Bike Maintenance Courses

Alternatively, we hold bike maintenance courses at our London bike workshop in Tower Bridge. These bicycle maintenance classes teach cyclists how to handle minor bike maintenance and repair tasks themselves, empowering cyclists to ride with confidence.

In one of our two-hour bicycle maintenance classes, attendees will learn the fundamentals of bike maintenance, including:

  • Puncture Repair: Learn how to remove the wheel, replace the inner tube, and repair a puncture effectively.

  • Brake and Gear Adjustments: Understand how to fine-tune your brakes and gears for smoother, safer cycling.

  • Basic Bike Safety Checks: Ensure key components are road-safe to prevent further damage and maintain performance.

  • Preventative Maintenance: Discover how to clean and lubricate essential parts to keep your bike in top condition.

How Businesses Can Get Involved

For corporate businesses that want to encourage their workforce to cycle to work, NipNip can help. By partnering with us for regular maintenance days, staff can keep their bikes in a rideable condition.

Once we have established a date to visit your business, we will provide you with a digital poster and communications to promote our event to employees, prompting them to sign up. On the day, we will set up at your location, whether that’s in your dedicated bike parking zone or another area of your premises. Our bicycle mechanics bring everything they need to set up our bicycle servicing pop-up, so all your employees need to do is attend with their bike and wheel keys!

To book a bike servicing pop-up at your business or to learn more about our bike maintenance courses at our London bike workshop, get in touch today!