Airedale NHS Trust has introduced a Cycle2Work scheme as a way of ensuring that the company goes ‘greener’ while members of their staff maintain a fitter and healthier lifestyle.

The NHS Trust has teamed up with Halfords to bring the government initiative Cycle2Work to its employees.

According to the scheme, employees can lease the bike for 12 months as part of a salary sacrifice scheme, so that each monthly payment is taken out of the employee’s salary, and at the end of the 12 months they have the option to buy the bike for the remaining amount - completely Tax and National Insurance free.

The move by Airedale NHS Trust is part of a national scheme to be set up in order to ensure that everyone living in England can reduce their carbon emissions and become healthier.

At the same time, employees will also be able to receive a 10% discount at Halfords on accessories for their bike. Staff can choose from a large selection of bikes and accessories ranging from £100 to £1000.

Industry sources say that the Cycle2Work scheme could benefit from Flexirider, a new bike insurance cover from Day Insure which allows bikers to get temporary insurance cover to enable them to use another bike that does not belong to them, drive home a new bike or insure another person to drive their bike.