Gogeta’s Post

Chicago has by far the largest free bike distribution program in the United States, giving away 2,500 bikes over the last 2 years on the way to at least 5,000. Bike riding more than doubled in Chicago over the past five years, the largest increase in any American city, according to a survey earlier this year.  The study showed cycling was growing even faster on parts of disinvested neighborhoods on the South and Southwest sides, and among non-white cyclists and among households with no cars. We need a multitude of approaches to improve the disinvested areas of our urban areas and this is a cost-effective and straightforward program to address mobility issues. https://lnkd.in/gF_dncrS

I read the recent article below about how the UK government wants to invest in cycling infrustructure. This paragraph stood out to me on why our governments struggle to get stuff done. They just never seem to actually understand the problems they are put in charge of. "Haigh admits she has never cycled in London, but would like to try out the city’s growing network of cycle lanes – although government ministers are given a car with a driver, partly for security reasons (famously David Cameron cycled in London while the driver shadowed him). She said: “I’ve not cycled in London. I don’t know why, because it’s obviously super flat. I definitely do want to get into it more, not least because I don’t have time to get to the gym. So it’s a really good alternative … I’m afraid now I have my ministerial car, I don’t know whether Dennis [her driver] would let me, he might have to drive alongside me or something ridiculous.” She also speaks about cycling helping with inequality, yet the very Cycle Scheme tax incentives that are killing UK bike shops favour wealthier shoppers giving more tax discount to higher earners. At Gocycle, we established Ebikemiles where we pay our staff to commute £.4 per mile. The government could offer take credits to companies for all the miles commuted - the country gets a fitter and healthier population. This simple system puts incentive where it is needed - rewarding usage, not ownership. And everyone has a fair opportunity with equal incentive per mile - instead of discounts being related to how much you earn. There is also no need for upfront investment from the tax payer. The policy is easier for small companies to implement. And with more people cycling, naturally - local communities will build more awareness and support for local upgrades to cycling infrustruture. I hope they make smarter decisions and do more with the limited resources we all have these days. https://lnkd.in/eAFdriKR

Life is better on two wheels 🚲That’s what Mike’s Bike Shop from Dieppe, New Brunswick believes. From sweeping floors of a local bike shop to running his own successful cycling business, founder Rick Snyder is one of this year’s #BackingSmall winners! Rick’s story begins all the way back in 1979 when his fascination with BMX bikes led him to volunteer at a local business: “There was a cool bike shop at the end of my school’s street, and I would spend every spare hour there absorbing everything I could.” All that dedication eventually paid off when Rick was offered a job at the store, and his love of cycling only grew from there: “I can remember the shop owner telling clients that they should wait to talk to me because I was the expert. That was an amazing feeling!” After 25 years working at the store he grew up in, Rick and his wife Heather seized the opportunity to buy Mike’s Bike Shop. The small independent store now offers a wide selection of bicycles, parts, and accessories to cycling enthusiasts all over North America from their storefront in the Maritimes. The e-commerce side of the business has grown rapidly over the last five years and shipping has played a key role in their expansion: “In the online marketplace, your customer rating is the face of your business. We’ve learned how important shipping is: from timely and consistent store pick-ups from our courier partners, all the way through to consistent on-time delivery to our end consumer.” But for Rick, the real driving force behind the company’s growth is their mix of passion and people, something he reflects on when asked to share advice for budding entrepreneurs: “Hire smart people and allow them to have roles and freedom to make smart decisions.” It’s the reason why, when it comes to using their $5,000 #BackingSmall cash prize, Rick intends to make sure that everyone benefits: “We’ll decide on an important piece of in-store equipment that can make the workplace better for the entire staff.” To learn more about Mike's Bike Shop and the rest of the 2024 #BackingSmall winners, head over to fedex.ca/backingsmall #FedEx #SMB #entrepreneur

Celebrating World Cycling Day over in this corner of LinkedIn! Obligatory bike emoji: 🚲 🚲 🚲 I could write all about the benefits of cycling in London (there are many), and I could write about the negatives of cycling in London (there are also many, one of which is, admittedly, often near death) but what I'm actually going to tell you about is the many cycle to work schemes that could help you bring cycling joy to your team. There are many schemes out there: Bike2Work, CycleScheme, Cycle2Work, Ride to Work (the list goes on). How it works: - Employer signs up for free to one of the schemes - Employee chooses kit (bike and safety equipment) and submits to employer - Employer approves and pays for all the kit via the cycle scheme, employee receives proof of payment - Employee goes to retailer and uses proof of payment to redeem and pick up their kit - Employee pays back cost of kit via salary sacrifice in their monthly payroll over a specified period (usually around 12 months) - As this is effectively a loan, the kit isn't owned by the employee, but can be purchased at 'fair market value' at the end of the period The employee saves money by reducing their PAYE and NI. The employer saves money by reducing the NI on that salary. It's a win win! The employee also saves money on commuting costs, as well as having to spend hours of their day smushed inside a tube carriage. And as the weather is (finally) heating up, no one wants that. Instead you can breathe in the clean, fresh air of the London streets! Go for it. You won't regret it! 🚲 🚲 🚲 Just please please buy and use a helmet and always always use lights. And reflectors. And those fancy reflector jackets. And gloves. Oh, and probably knee and elbow pads. PS. Just message if you need help setting it up!

Making cycling affordable is not all about free bikes, and low hire fees. It is also about supporting ongoing maintenance and repairs. At our drop-in Bikefix sessions we hear time and again that participants really appreciate being able to access affordable bike repairs. We understand the language that people use when they are unable to access mainstream bike shops due to price. They may ask 'can it just be fixed without replacing?', or 'do you have any secondhand parts I can use?', or 'I'd like to keep it thrifty!', which we all love. Drop in bike repair kitchens/spaces democratise bike repair. Those that can afford mainstream bike shops can pay for servicing, those that struggle to afford that benefit from access to spaces like ours. Fixing bikes themselves, with mechanic support and guidance empowers people and encourages them to seek help with their bikes more often, instead of either riding an unroadworthy bike, or not riding until they can afford the repair. Thanks to Southwark Council and their #streetsforpeople scheme for supporting our work to help more people to cycle more often, on bikes that are in good repair. 🚲 🔧Community Cycleworks

Bike lanes make riding a bike safer and more comfortable. Bike lanes save lives. But don't just take it from us at Cycle Toronto: "You’re nervous when there’s no bike lanes. At least I was. If someone dings you from behind…We have to do everything we can to make sure there’s never a death in the city. One death is way too many when it comes to bicycle riders. We have to make sure that they’re safe. And I felt so much safer when [the bike lanes] were separated." Biking around Toronto in a 2017 episode of TVO’s Political Blind Date, the Premier was candid in his revelation. He experienced firsthand that to make cycling convenient and practical, you have to make it safe. Already six people have been killed riding their bikes in Toronto this year–more than the previous three years combined. This is a public health crisis. Last week, news leaked of proposed provincial legislation that would limit where municipalities could build new bike lanes. In response nearly 5,000 people already have joined our call. Can we get 10,000 before the end of the month? Let's tell the province to stay in its lane and stop this massive overreach. Let's end this culture war and put forward evidence based solutions to tackle gridlock. Let's tell the Premier we agree that “we have to do everything we can” to make sure there are no more cyclist deaths. Sign the petition now: https://lnkd.in/gfRG-xNY

Cycling is good for you, and it is a good way to get around. Purchasing a bike through your company can be very tax efficient, but there are some pitfalls to watch out for. Firstly, the bike should be used more than it isn’t for ‘qualifying journeys’. These include commuting to an office, or to see clients. It can include cycling to a station for an onward commuting journey. I’ve never known HMRC to check this, but strictly the condition applies. The bike must belong to the company and some care must be taken around the consumer credit rules. There are exemptions for bikes costing less than £1,000 which are lent to employees. However, if the bike costs over £1,000, you should check whether you need a credit consumer licence (or alternatively, use a cycle to work scheme provider who should have their own). ☎️ 01733 247500

🚴♂️ 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹🚶♀️ As a Director at Hudjo, I'm thrilled to see the recent commitment by Labour towards an "unprecedented" investment in cycling and walking infrastructure, as highlighted in this insightful article by The Guardian. While the focus on expanding cycling lanes and pedestrian paths is crucial, we must also shine a light on an oft-overlooked aspect of the cycling infrastructure equation: 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. At Hudjo, we know that creating a safe and convenient environment for cyclists doesn't stop at the bike lane. Secure parking is essential to encouraging more people to choose cycling as a mode of transport, reducing bike theft, and ultimately fostering a cycling culture that is sustainable and resilient. As we move forward, let’s ensure that investments in cycling infrastructure include comprehensive solutions, where secure parking is seen not as an afterthought but as a fundamental component of a cyclist's journey. Read more about this important development here: https://lnkd.in/eh29uwqj #CyclingInfrastructure #SecureBikeParking #SustainableTransport #Hudjo #CyclingSafety #UrbanMobility

It's an exciting announcement by the Qld Government, starting today, Queenslanders will be able to access a $500 subsidy to purchase e-bikes.    The million-dollar E-Mobility Rebate Scheme will enable up to 1,600* Queenslanders to access e-bikes for transport, health and recreation.    Earlier this year, as the EO of We Ride Australia, I presented the government with modelling that used Australian Government and QLD Treasury figures and identified a return on investment of $7 for every dollar provided in incentives. It's great to see that the advocacy of BicycleQueensland combined with a strong economic case from WeRide’s modelling has now resulted in what is sure to be a very popular incentive that will get more Queenslanders cycling.    The $1million incentive program will return around $7 million in benefits for health, emissions reductions and improvements in congestion and *would fund up to 1,600 discounted e-bikes if used claimed exclusively for just e-bikes.    WeRide commissioned the modelling from the Institute for Sensible Transport in 2021 and it has since contributed to the adoption of e-bike incentives in local governments in South Australia, the Tasmanian Government and now the Queensland Government.    The data from WeRide build on the 2023 EY economic report that highlighted that bicycle and scooter riders add around $3.5 billion to the Qld economy and $18.6billion to the Australian economy each year, including $1billion benefit to the health system and the avoidance of the equivalence of more than half a billion tonnes of vehicle emissions.    WeRide has a decades-long record of lobbying for investments of this type, first hosting a Parliamentary dinner in Canberra on the value of these economic incentives in 2012.    Nationally, WeRide works with all cycling organisations and are very happy to see the successful outcome in this instance following the Queensland Government announcement.   Today’s announcement reinforces the value and importance of WeRide’s investment in national research, providing economic data and evidence, combined with a collaborative approach to achieve outstanding results for bike riders.   We look forward to other states and territories following the lead of Queensland (and Tasmania) providing incentives and subsidies to get more Australians riding.    It is also time for the Federal Government to follow international best practice and abolish the FBT on e-bikes to support more Australians riding to work. https://lnkd.in/gMB7ttqE

Short Article: Here is Why Governments Paying People to Bike to Work Makes Sense... https://buff.ly/3TA4mju #Cycling #CustomBicycles #HandCraftedBicycles