Bicycle Mileage Survey

In February 2008, Spokes conducted a survey of all 409 Trusts and Authorities in the English NHS. Every PCT, every Acute Trust, every Care Trust, every Mental Health Trust, every Ambulance Trust, every Strategic Health Authority and every Special Health Authority was sent this e-mail:

Spokes, the NHS Cycling Network, is conducting a survey into bicycle mileage rates.
Could you please tell me what rate of reimbursement (if any) your Trust pays to staff who use their own bicycle for work-related journeys?
Thank you.

By the end of the month 230 Trusts and Authorities had replied. Some provided a clear answer, some had to ask around and were surprised to find that they had a cycle rate, some were unable to say for sure and some were genuinely confused by the actual concept of bicycle mileage ("Why would we pay someone to ride a bicycle?").

The results were tabulated into a spreadsheet and summarised in the paper 'A Free Ride?' which was published on 28 February 2008:

The spreadsheet is regularly updated as new information is received. Please send any additions or corrections to joe.mellor@leedsth.nhs.uk

The Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions Handbook section 17.25 states:

Reimbursement for employees using pedal cycles for official journeys will be for local agreement, subject to the minimum rate set out in Annex L.
Annex L - c. Pedal Cycles
For local agreement, subject to a minimum of 6.2p per mile.

Despite this minimum rate, the February 2008 survey revealed that 22 per cent of Trusts pay less than 6.2p or don't pay anything at all. However 22 per cent pay more than the required minimum, up to 50p per mile in some cases. The remaining 56 per cent pay just 6.2p per mile. Many public sector bodies pay generous cycle mileage rates considerably higher than the NHS minimum.

On 1 July 2008 all NHS mileage rates were increased. Minimum bicycle mileage was raised from 6.2p/mile to 10p/mile, still only half of the tax-free level which the Government expects employers to pay. Therefore, in viewing the spreadsheet above, assume that all employers in the 6.2p column now pay 10p

Spokes congratulates the following Trusts who have increased their cycle mileage rates above the AfC minimum since 1 March 2008:

If you use your own bicycle for work-related journeys (not commuting) then your Trust has a contractual obligation to reimburse you at least 10p per mile. Bicycle mileage is tax-free up to 20p per mile and if you are paid less than that you can claim the difference as tax relief.

The paper 'A Free Ride?' explains how and why NHS employers should encourage staff to use bicycles for business journeys. Spokes recommends using this paper to try and persuade your Board to provide a generous bicycle mileage rate as part of their commitment to sustainable development.