Bike Week 2008 sees launch of hospital tax-free bike scheme trial

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is promoting cycling to work during Bike Week 2008 and is trialling a salary-sacrifice scheme to help staff buy a brand new bike more affordably.

Bike Week takes place between 14-22 June and is all about getting people out and about on bikes and the NNUH NHS Foundation Trust is trialling a bike scheme with Cyclescheme Ltd.

The new initiative enables staff to buy cycles via a salary sacrifice scheme so they may be used to cycle to work and the Trust is making the scheme available to a limited number of employees who have already expressed an interest in participating in it to begin with.

The scheme is being run on a trial basis initially to ensure that the correct processes are in place and the system works efficiently. Hospital staff who take part in the trial scheme will be able to buy a bike and equipment worth up to £500 including VAT.

During Bike Week Serco are also offering the first 100 NNUH staff cyclists a breakfast or an alternative i.e. sandwich and Norfolk County Services have also generously offered the first 10 staff cyclists a breakfast or a salad lunch at Cromer Hospital.

Dr Bike will be available at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on Friday 20th June to give a 31 point safety check of bikes.