The Irish Bicycle Business Association has also collected a number of surveys carried out recently which show the development and benefit of cycling to employers, employees and bike shops across Ireland from the implementation of the Cycle to Work scheme.
A1 Bikes4work Retailer Survey 2011
The research was conducted among 130 bike retailers nationwide, representing almost half of bike shops in the country.
91% of bike retailers reported a growth in business in 2010 as a result of the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme, according to new research carried out by One4all Bikes4work ahead of National Cycle to Work Day on Wednesday 22nd June. In more than a quarter of cases, the retailers experienced a significant business growth of between 10-20%. Similarly, over 88% of respondents reported an increase in business in 2009, the first year that the scheme was introduced. This trend continues in 2011 with 60% of retailers recording a growth in business to date.
Commenting on the findings, Michael Dawson, Group CEO at the Gift Voucher Shop, which runs the One4all Bikes4work scheme, said:
“The Cycle to Work scheme is a hugely innovative initiative which has helped create a renewed culture of cycling in Ireland. As our research shows, it has contributed significantly to a rejuvenated bicycle retail industry resulting in a new wave of dynamic businesses as well as job creation at a time when the country needs it most.”
Since the Government scheme began, 68% of those surveyed have increased staff numbers, comprising both full and part-time employees. The majority of new hires (31%) have been recruited so far in 2011 while 28% were taken on during 2010. Furthermore, 63% of respondents have renovated or increased the size of their premises as a result.
According to over half of bike retailers (53%), the average value of each initial bike purchase through the Cycle to Work scheme, including approved equipment, is between €500- €750. 42% of those surveyed said that customers spend from €750 up to the limit of €1,000. In the majority of cases (41%), customers also spend between €50- €100 on additional equipment each year.
A2 Bike to Work Employee Survey with TCD.
Bike to Work Ltd / Trinity College Dublin Survey of Employees:
The results show that 73% of those who owned a bicycle before using the scheme cycled for non-work trips at least once a week. The results show that 50% of individuals that had not owned a bicycle in 4-6 years and 54% of those that did not own a bicycle in more that seven years cycled for a non-work trips at least once a week.
Key finding were: