Long periods of sitting can impact physical wellbeing, while demanding workloads can contribute to stress and burnout. Meanwhile, technology employers face ongoing pressure to attract talent and improve retention, as well as supporting sustainability goals.

A cycle to work scheme for technology businesses helps tackle all three of these challenges. By giving employees an affordable way to commute by bike, employers can support healthier travel habits, reduce commuting costs and create a more attractive employee benefits package.

What is a cycle to work scheme?

A cycle to work scheme is a government-backed employee benefit that allows employees to obtain a bike, cycling accessories and safety equipment for commuting through their employer.

The cost of the bike and cycling equipment is spread through salary sacrifice scheme payments, with repayments taken from gross salary before Income Tax and National Insurance deductions.

This creates savings for both employees and employers, while employees can choose a bike and cycling accessories of their choice from a wide range of eligible retailers and bike shops.

How Cyclescheme works

Joining Cyclescheme is simple.

1. Your business signs up for free.
2. Employees choose their commuting bike, accessories and safety equipment.
3. Employees submit a request.
4. The employer approves the application.
5. Employees receive their Cyclescheme Certificate and collect their equipment.
6. Salary sacrifice repayments are made through payroll.

Cyclescheme also manages the ownership process at the end of the hire period, helping reduce administration for employers and HR teams.

Cycle to work scheme for technology businesses: why it makes sense and benefits employees

Technology businesses are uniquely positioned to benefit from a cycle to cork scheme. Many employees work in roles such as software development, engineering, cybersecurity, data analysis, product management, UX design and IT support.

Sedentary roles like this come with employee wellbeing challenges, which a cycle to work scheme for technology businesses can help with significantly.

Supporting employees in sedentary roles

Technology professionals often spend eight or more hours a day in front of screens, and they are sedentary for most of that time, if not all of it. By introducing a cycle to work scheme tech sector employers can help employees build movement into their routine before and after work, improving their cardiovascular health.

It’s a great way to encourage regular physical activity into the working week without requiring employees to find additional time for exercise. For employers, that creates an opportunity to support wellbeing in a practical and measurable way.

Better mental wellbeing

Technology projects often involve deadlines, product launches, troubleshooting and complex problem solving, all of which can be mentally taxing.

Cycling can help employees start and finish the working day with time away from screens and digital distractions. In fact, Cyclescheme's participant research found that 82% of riders felt less stressed after cycle commuting.

Financial support

Technology employees might be well paid, but rising living costs affect everyone. Cyclescheme helps employees save up to 47% on bikes, accessories and safety equipment while spreading the cost through interest-free salary sacrifice payments.

For employees who currently drive to work, cycling may also reduce spending on:

• Fuel
• Parking
• Vehicle wear and tear
• Public transport costs

The employer benefits of a cycle to work scheme for technology businesses

A cost-positive employee benefit

Many workplace benefits come with ongoing costs, but Cyclescheme is different.

The scheme is free to join and free to administer. Employers recover the cost of the bike through salary sacrifice payments and can save up to 13.8% on Employer National Insurance Contributions. For every £1,000 processed through the scheme, employers can generate meaningful NIC savings.

Improve retention and support recruitment

Competition for technology talent remains strong, which is why having the right culture, wellbeing support and benefits can go a long way in helping you hire the best people in the industry.

Offering a cycle to work scheme for technology businesses demonstrates a commitment to employee wellbeing while providing a practical benefit that employees can use every day.

Showcasing commitment to sustainability

Many technology businesses have ambitious sustainability targets, especially with the rise of AI and data centres. Since transport also remains a significant contributor to carbon emissions in the UK, encouraging employees to commute by bike can support:

• ESG reporting
• Corporate sustainability and environmental impact initiatives
• Carbon reduction goals
• Employee engagement with environmental programmes

This creates benefits for both the organisation and the wider community.

Easy, hassle-free administration

Your HR team already has enough on its plate, which is why Cyclescheme keeps administration light.

The platform handles employee applications, certificate generation and end-of-hire ownership processes, while employers receive support materials to help communicate the benefit internally.

Why e-bikes are growing in popularity among technology employees

Hybrid working has changed commuting patterns. Many employees now travel to the office fewer days each week, but often travel longer distances when they do. E-bikes help make cycling accessible to a wider range of employees, especially in predominantly sedentary sectors such as technology where it’s harder to prioritise physical activity.

Electric bikes are particularly useful for:

• Longer commutes
• Hilly routes
• Returning cyclists
• Employees looking for extra support

Cyclescheme continues to champion access to e-bikes, helping more people discover the benefits of active commuting. For technology businesses with regional offices or primarily sedentary employees commuting from surrounding towns and cities, e-bikes can significantly increase participation.

Why technology businesses choose Cyclescheme

Technology businesses need trusted partners. Cyclescheme has spent two decades helping employers and employees make commuting more affordable, healthier and more sustainable.

Key reasons employers choose Cyclescheme include:

• Trusted by more than 50,000 employers
• Over 1.2 million participants
• More than 2,600 retailer partners
• It’s free to join
• Up to 13.8% employer NIC savings
• Up to 47% employee savings
• Extensive e-bike choice
• Expert compliance support
• FCA authorised and ISO accredited

Employees benefit from unrivalled choice through independent bike shops, national retailers, online stores and direct-to-brand purchasing options.

Building a healthier future for technology teams

Technology businesses depend on people who think clearly, solve problems and bring energy to their work. A cycle to work scheme for technology businesses supports those goals. It helps employees save money, supports physical and mental wellbeing and encourages lower-carbon commuting.

For employers, it delivers meaningful value without creating administrative burden. With no setup costs, potential NIC savings and support from the UK's leading Cycle to Work provider, it's easy to see why more than 50,000 employers have chosen Cyclescheme.

Whether you're a growing software startup, an established technology company or a fast-moving digital business, Cyclescheme can help you introduce a competitive benefit that will make a real difference for your employees.

Join Cyclescheme for free