Halving her car fuel bills during good weather is reason enough for Tracey Minto to keep in the saddle.
The Victoria Primary School teacher, who took up cycling six years ago after agreeing to take part in a 70mile charity cycle, uses her bike whenever she can – even for daily shopping trips during the summer holidays.
Earlier this year Tracey took advantage of the Council’s Cycle to Work scheme to pick up a new road bike to replace the old, a bargain buy from eBay.
Operating as a salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle to Work allows you to lease a bike – which now includes e-bikes - from your employer over the period of a year, paying 12 equal payments to cover the cost.
After the year, the Council may offer you the opportunity to transfer ownership of the bike for a transfer fee which allows you to then keep it – or you can choose to return it in good condition
And you have until this Sunday, October 27th to submit your application to the scheme before it closes.
Tracey said: “I hate exercising indoors so cycling was an ideal way for me to improve my fitness, and I can honestly say I’m fitter now in my 40s than I’ve ever been. Cycling has also opened the door to some fantastic experiences that I would never have had with my friends.
“After completing the 70 mile charity cycle to raise money for Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, one of my good friends Stephen Donovan caught the cycling bug and started organising our next big cycle – Shore to Shoreditch, a five day event from Carronshore to London.
“Since then we’ve also cycled to Cardiff and that journey took us along the Solway Firth during last year’s summer heatwave. It was the first time I’d seen that part of Scotland from the roadside and it was stunning. Those trips have been a great way to see the country.”
As well as benefiting from a wide range of health benefits, cyclists who regularly travel to work also save money on transport costs – and Tracey is proof that getting on your bike is a cost-cutting solution.
“Getting on a bike is a great way to get people out of their cars and I love the fact I make significant savings on fuel, halving my petrol bills when the weather is good. Cycling also helps me reduce my carbon footprint while keeping off the extra pounds and clearing my head. It’s win-win!”
