A scheme which wants Brits to ditch the car keys and jump on a bike is set to raise money for good causes
An initiative which is aiming to get commuters to cycle to work is set to raise £1 million for charity.
free2cycle is encouraging users to give back to good causes through pedal power.
As part of the initiative’s commitment to support its founding values to improve health, wellbeing and the environment, the enterprise is aiming to get those who commit to cycling to work to raise money for good causes.
Currently, free2cycle cyclists are incentivised to commute by a two pence per mile reward which goes towards bike servicing costs or accessories at their local retailer. However, the new addition will give cyclists the freedom to donate this money to charity, so the more they commute by bike, the more that goes to their preferred charity.
For a cyclist riding 25 miles per week (for most people that’s roughly 15 minutes of commute each way cycling at an average pace), this will generate almost £25 per year for the charity of their choice.
free2cycle is encouraging users to adopt this no-hassle form of charitable giving, so good causes benefit from cycling, along with users’ health and the environment. free2cycle expects to be in a position to donate over a £1 million a year to nominated.
Eric Craig, CEO free2cycle said: “Improving peoples’ health, wellbeing and our environment are the values we built free2cycle on. Getting more people, more active, more often, not only reduces individuals’ risk of major health incidents, but also helps improve our environment for the benefit of all. But now it’s time to extend this goodwill network further, by increasing the impact these cyclists can have on the causes they care about.
“Supporting charities provides our cyclists with another reason to ride, facing a few rain drops during a commute becomes insignificant when you realise that each mile you ride is supporting your preferred charity and helping those in need.”
Macmillan Cancer Support’s Richard Taylor added: “Fundraising is incredibly challenging at the moment for many reasons. Despite technology coming on leaps and bounds, theoretically making it easier to donate quickly and easily, it is becoming increasingly hard to encourage consumers to part with their hard earned cash.
“So incentives such as that being introduced by free2cycle are very welcome and will provide a new source of much needed voluntary income to charities. Given the tangible benefits to health that cycling provides, we at Macmillan Cancer Support are incredibly excited by this new initiative, which will help us support the increasing numbers of people living with cancer.”
The option to give to charities is available to all free2cycle cyclists from 1 September. Cyclists will have the freedom to nominate to support the charity or foundation of their choice, either by selecting one of the pre-registered charities, or nominating a charity of their choosing.
