Rugby MP visits town's Halfords to find out how staff have been helping Rugbeians to keep moving

Mr Pawsey also heard how the Cycle2Work scheme is proving more and more popular
L-R: Halfords staff members Gemma and Emily, store manager Darren Grieves and Rugby MP Mark Pawsey.L-R: Halfords staff members Gemma and Emily, store manager Darren Grieves and Rugby MP Mark Pawsey.
L-R: Halfords staff members Gemma and Emily, store manager Darren Grieves and Rugby MP Mark Pawsey.

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey last week visited Rugby's branch of Halfords to hear from staff about how they have helped to keep residents moving during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Halfords staff, including store manager Darren Grieves, were also on hand to show Mark their range of E-bikes, which are a popular option for commuting in towns and cities.

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With ranges of 30-50 miles between charges and motor assisted pedal-power at a level set by the user, they can open up cycling as a viable commuting option for many more people,-including those who are less confident about using traditional mechanical bicycles.

Mr Pawsey also discussed the role the Government’s Cycle2Work scheme is playing in helping encourage people to switch from cars to cycling for their commute.

Using Cycle2Work lets employees at participating companies buy a bike or e-bike, and accessories, at a significantly reduced rate. The scheme is run via a salary sacrifice meaning customers don’t pay tax or national insurance and save between 32 per cent and 42 per cent on a new bike and accessories.

The reduced cost is then deducted out of your salary over 12 or 18 months.

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Following changes made to Cycle2Work last year, a wider range of bikes and E-Bikes are now included in the scheme.

It has also been expanded to cover bikes which need to be specially adapted.

Halfords, who are the UK’s largest Cycle2Work provider, has seen interest more than double compared to last year as residents have sought alternatives to public transport during the coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking after trying an E-bike alongside Halfords staff, Mr Pawsey said: “It was great to visit Halfords in Rugby to meet the team and learn about the huge rise in demand for cycling. E-bikes are becoming particularly popular, providing people with an efficient and safe way to commute as we continue to fight Covid-19, and I was pleased to hear about the big rise in Cycle2Work scheme applications the company is seeing.

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"I’d encourage employees and employers across Rugby to take advantage of this government backed scheme, as it’s both a great way to keep healthy and good for the environment as well."

Halfords’ Rugby store manager Darren Grieves said: “It was great to welcome Mark to the store.

"We’ve been hard at work throughout the pandemic, keeping Rugby residents safely on the road for those essential journeys, and we are now seeing a huge rise in people who want to get back on a bike as they return to workplaces, schools and colleges in the coming weeks.

"Looking after the many cars which had sat on driveways unused during lockdown is certainly keeping us busy too.”