Forest launches Cycle to Work scheme

Forest has launched a dockless and shared Cycle to Work scheme, working out at 60 minutes cycling per day for approximately £1 per day.

The shared micromobility platform is working in partnership with all the major UK benefits providers, so that employees can access the scheme through their company’s existing benefits setup.

Forest has developed the offer off the back of the significant increase in the number of “heavy” and “super users” of the Forest bikes.

Super users, defined as those who ride with Forest more than 21 times a month, have increased tenfold year-on-year, while heavy users, who ride six to 21 times a month, have increased fivefold over the same time frame.

This represents the ongoing shift in behaviour of Londoners to more active and shared mobility solutions.

A recent study found cycling rates across London increased 6.3% from 2022 to 2023, and up 20% since 2020.

‘Cycle to Work with Forest’ will launch this week and Forest has commenced the scheme with inaugural partner, Dexters.

As with other Cycle to Work offerings, the employee pays for the subscription via their salary with a tax saving of up to 47%.

Jamie Richards, Forest head of commercial, said: “There are three winners here: our users who appreciate costs being kept low, companies who make national insurance savings and cities who get more people using active and sustainable mobility.

“We’re very proud to be offering the most affordable dockless scheme in London, in the midst of a cost of living crisis. In fact, one month using Forest’s Cycle to Work Scheme costs the same as only three days of trips on the London underground. What’s not to love?”

The development of this scheme is in line with Forest’s goal to keep the user central to its offering.

Transport costs across the capital have increased, with a 5.9% TfL fare rise between March 2022 and March 2023. When compared with 44 other global cities, London has been found to have the most expensive public transport solutions relative to local average wages.

Forest has made it a priority to innovate to find new ways to keep costs as low as possible for its users.

Based on a £29 per month ‘Cycle to Work with Forest’ subscription, the Forest offering is £155 cheaper per month than using the London Underground (zones 1-4) and £66 cheaper than London buses.

The scheme is £136 cheaper than the Cycle to Work ownership scheme for an e-bike, while also meaning the user saves on maintenance, insurance and storage costs associated with private ownership.

Andy Shepherd, Dexters CEO, added: “Dexters is delighted to be partnering with Forest to offer our colleagues the opportunity to be part of their e-bike Cycle to Work scheme.

“Dexters has over 170 offices across London and with over 2000 colleagues we are sure our local teams will love this cost effective, healthy and environmentally friendly way to travel to work.”