70 | UK Enterprise Awards 2022 Green Commute Initiative has a vision to get commuters out of cars and onto any kind of bike, with the dual purpose of improving both the individual’s health and wellbeing, as well as reducing the environmental impact of pollution and congestion from cars. It does this through its cycle to work scheme. We find out more in the wake of the organisation being recognised in the UK Enterprise Awards 2022. Green Commute Initiative (GCI) is a not-for-profit social enterprise with a mission to get more people cycling for the benefit of the environment and individual health. Through the innovative Cycle to Work Scheme, GCI gives access to savings of between 33.25% to 48.25% on any type of new cycle. Operating in the UK, the organisation works with world-leading brands across both the private and public sectors. Since its establishment in 2016, GCI has strived to offer a fair and inclusive scheme, one that gives the maximum possible savings and choice to customers and gives bike shops a fair deal. It was the first scheme provider to operate without a £1,000 scheme limit and no ownership fees. This helps employees make the maximum possible savings available to them with no ‘sting in the tail’ fees. GCI also charges bike shops the lowest commission rates in the industry – helping the bike shops keep more of their profits within their businesses and local communities. When GCI first came onto the C2W scene in 2016, many of the established scheme ‘players’ were disgruntled and tried to discredit GCI however, this came to an end when GCI’s model was officially recognised in the Department for Transport’s scheme update in 2019. “GCI is the only scheme provider to operate as a not-for-profit social enterprise,” Joanna Flint, GCI’s Marketing Director explains. “This means we can keep our costs low to benefit everyone. GCI’s constitution means it cannot take on debt and therefore cannot become insolvent. This means the bikes are safe with GCI and will always end up with the employee. GCI is the only cycle-to-work provider to offer this. In today’s tricky retail environment this is a vital safeguard.” Covid-19 lockdown restrictions thankfully kept bike shops open and retailers were inundated with people wanting to get bikes during lockdown. This led to unprecedented levels of orders and stock supply quickly became an issue. Our Customer Service Team quickly became the busiest it had ever been. However, as GCI was already set-up for remote working, the team seamlessly switched from office to home working, maintaining our high level of customer service. “During lockdown, we made changes to our portal and banking protocols to keep up with demand and maintained our reputation for quick turnaround times on orders. Our Trustpilot score leads the industry.” Following the unprecedented level of orders during lockdown, and disruption to manufacturing and international shipping, the bike industry has been faced with a supply issue which, in some cases, has led to a delay in people getting their bikes or having to change their bike choice completely. GCI’s high level of flexibility means that orders can be amended as required as circumstances change. With a small yet perfectly formed team, GCI offers flexible working hours to those that need it as well as operating a hybrid working practice. Apr22334 Cycle to Work Scheme Provider of the Year – South East “Everyone has the flexibility they need to ensure they have a good work life balance so that they can be happy,” Joanna Flint continues. “We all work within close proximity to the office and loan bikes to employees to enable them to cycle to work. Everyone has the equipment they need to enable flexible working and we offer training to those that wish to progress in their chosen career path.” Flint continues, “We are continuously developing our portal to ensure we are adapting to customer needs as they arise. We have also increased our investment in advertising to help spread the message that there is a fairer Cycle to Work Scheme available. Finally, our Green Bike Pool offering will be renewed as more organisations look at solutions to help them to achieve Net Zero.” Recently, the company was rewarded for its commitment and dedication with the title of Cycle to Work Scheme Provider of the Year – South East and the organisation is clearly looking to innovate and further expand its offering for the future. Contact Details Company: Green Commute Initiative Web Address: www.greencommuteinitiative.uk Photo Credit- #BikeisBest
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