Source: Cycling Electric

A cross-party parliamentary group of the UK government is advocating for a reform of the salary sacrifice legislation that underpins the Cycle to Work scheme, aiming to eliminate longstanding inequalities embedded in the current system.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking (APPGCW) has published its findings and recommendations in the Active Travel and Social Justice Report.

Who currently misses out?

As it stands, the Cycle to Work scheme is only accessible to those in PAYE employment earning above the minimum wage. This inherently excludes some of the people who could benefit most – such as low-income earners, the self-employed, retirees, and the unemployed.

Although cycling remains one of the most cost-effective modes of transport both upfront and in the long term, the scheme fails to support the groups who might rely on it the most. Research by Sustrans highlights that 19% of low-income individuals are deterred from cycling due to the expense of purchasing a bicycle or e-bike.

Moreover, the scheme’s financial benefits scale with income – meaning the more you earn, the more you save – prompting long-standing criticism over its inequitable nature.

What changes are being proposed?

Labour MP Fabian Hamilton is leading the push within government for a legislative overhaul.

Hamilton, who co-chairs the APPGCW, stated:“Walking, wheeling, and cycling should be available to everyone, but right now, too many people are excluded. If we are serious about increasing active travel, we must address the systemic barriers that prevent millions from participating. This report provides clear, actionable solutions to make active travel truly inclusive. We will be working hard in Parliament to push for change.”

With the launch of the APPGCW’s new report, the group intends to meet with ministers and ensure the issue is included in the Parliamentary agenda.

Cycle for Health: A new vision

The updated proposal may see the scheme renamed Cycle for Health, with a wider-reaching remit. The suggested reforms include:

• Subsidies for e-cycles aimed at low-income individuals
• Recognition of adapted bicycles as mobility aids under the Motability scheme
• Expansion of affordable cycle hire programmes
• A cap on fees for cycle hangar storage

In light of recent government cuts to disability support, there’s an added focus on ensuring improved access to pedal-assisted mobility devices, especially as these may help disabled people return to work. Critics argue that reducing support without providing viable transport alternatives for disabled people is counterproductive.

The barriers faced by disabled individuals

The report emphasises that disabled people are at heightened risk of poverty and face significant obstacles to fair employment and pay.

It states: “As such, the cost of acquiring mobility aids, including adapted cycles, becomes prohibitive, especially where purchasing or repairing adapted cycles is much more expensive than standard ones. Sustrans’ Disabled Citizens’ Inquiry found that 16% of disabled people cannot access adequate mobility aids to walk or wheel (the figure rises to 27% for non-white disabled people).”

Though electric bikes and tricycles tailored to disabled users can be expensive, they offer life-changing mobility solutions. However, the current Cycle to Work scheme does little to assist, given that many people are ineligible and that adapted cycles often exceed the scheme’s cost cap. Furthermore, accessible hire options and secure storage for adapted cycles remain severely limited.

The overarching aim is to ensure that any revised scheme caters to those with disabilities, improving access to e-mobility for those who arguably need it the most.

Additional proposals beyond the scheme

While reforming the Cycle to Work scheme is a key element of the report, the parliamentary group has tabled a number of additional proposals aimed at improving inclusive transport more broadly:

• Pavement parking: Urging the government to advance its pavement parking legislation by responding to public consultation and making pavement parking a civil offence. This would empower local authorities to enforce penalties and ensure pavements are accessible for disabled people, parents with prams, and other pedestrians.
• Cycle training: Making cycle training universally available, with consistent funding and instructors representing a wide range of communities.
• Inclusive infrastructure: Establishing inclusive design standards as a legal minimum to meet mobility needs for all.
• Removing barriers: Setting targets to eliminate restrictive barriers on public cycleways, footpaths, parks, and other spaces. This would especially benefit cargo bike users, while also tightening enforcement against anti-social motorcycle use.
• Grassroots support: Providing sustained funding to local authorities to support community organisations that promote inclusive transport solutions.

Click here to read the full report.