Government is considering a bike to work scheme for public servants, MHKs were told.

In the House of Keys, LibVan Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper asked Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas what plans he has to introduce a bike to work scheme to take advantage of the benefit in kind incentive announced in last month’s Budget.

Mr Thomas replied: ’The Office of Human Resources is currently working with colleagues in Treasury and other parts of government to consider how a bike to work scheme would work in the context of the Isle of Man public service.’

He said he personally supported the introduction of such a scheme and would be delighted if other employers in the island also considered how they can take advantage of the recent exemption announced in the Budget.

But he added: ’The scheme could not exist in isolation.

’The Minister for Infrastructure has been working on a cycling strategy with officers and I know there is work going on also in Health, Education and Home Affairs to do with active transport, particularly cycling.’

He added: ’So we need to make sure we join up safety, infrastructure and motivation aspects of all of this to get more people walking and cycling, which would have benefits: healthy lifestyle almost certainly, probably less vehicles and probably safer streets.’

There’s now an extra incentive to get cycling.

From April 6 this year, employees who are provided with a bike and safety equipment such as helmet and high visibility clothing up to the value of £1,000 by their employer for the purpose of cycling to and from work will be exempt from paying tax on it.

To qualify for the exemption, the bike and equipment must be bought by the employer from shops in the Isle of Man.