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ARCHIVED - Spain considers paying staff more for cycling to work
The ‘By bike to work’ initiative aims to encourage more sustainable transport in Spain
The Spanish government is working on implementing a new ‘En bici al trabajo’ scheme that would encourage employees to leave the car at home and cycle to the office instead. As part of its ‘State Strategy for Bicycles’, the powers that be are looking at the option of companies paying extra money to staff who bike to work, an initiative that is already in place in several European countries.
“Bicycles are not just another mode of transport. It produces value for society in terms not only of mobility but also of habitability, health, the environment, equity, sociability, etc. And it produces benefits for those who travel by bicycle and for those who do not, by freeing up space and reducing air and noise pollution,” a government spokesperson highlighted.
Essentially, the Ministry of Transport is considering modifying tax regulations so that workers could be compensated for cycling to work, similar to the way company cars operate.
Countries like France and the Netherlands already apply similar measures. There, employees can earn up to 800 euros (France) and 1,500 euros (Netherlands) extra a year for going to work by bicycle, but in Spain this would require a change in current legislation.
Other places, like the UK and Ireland, offer tax incentives or discounts for purchasing a bike through work, and several regions allow drivers to trade in old cars for bicycles.
In Spain, there’s no plan to change the law in the near future so the Ministry has launched a campaign to incentivise employers to encourage their staff to bike to the office rather than drive.
Larger businesses have been asked to be more flexible in their working hours to allow employees the time to cycle, as well as provide secure bike parking and changing and shower facilities for staff.
For most companies, however, these are only recommendations at the moment and only those with more than 500 employees are required to draw up sustainable mobility plans at work.
The Spanish government has also allocated 490 million euros of Next Generation funds to help city councils that promote the use of bicycles.
In other news: Spanish TV to stop broadcasting bullfighting channel
Image: Pexels
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