As the government calls on employers to remove barriers to their staff being active, the UK division of Citi, one of the world’s leading banking groups, has thrown its weight behind British Cycling’s ambitions to turn Britain into a true cycling nation by joining the #ChooseCycling Network.
The Network, which now boasts almost 40 member companies, was formed by British Cycling in early 2015 to bring together businesses that strongly believe more cycling would be beneficial for their workforce and customers.
Citi, which employs almost 10,000 people in the UK, joins the likes of Coca-Cola, Aldi and Virgin Trains in signing up to the Network – which now represents a total of 260,000 employees - in recent weeks.
Michael Lavelle, head of corporate and investment banking for Citi in the UK, said:
“We’re thrilled to join the #ChooseCycling Network. Citi is big supporter of cycling through our sponsorship of New York City’s bike share programme and it’s great to be able to be part of something so important in the UK.”
The New York bike share programme, which has been in operation for two-and-a-half years, offers people a convenient solution to making short trips throughout the city, with bikes available 24/7 from over 300 stations. On average, around 34,000 people us the scheme every day.
In the UK government’s newly-published Sports Strategy, the sports minister Tracey Crouch has called upon British businesses to provide their employees with the “opportunities to be physically active in and around their working day”.
Chris Boardman, the former Olympic champion who now fronts British Cycling’s campaign to turn Britain into a true cycling nation, says:
“It is hugely encouraging that yet another large and influential corporation, Citi, sees the value of improving cycling infrastructure and ensuring that active travel is an attractive option for their employees and customers.
“Throughout this year, big companies have been pledging their support to the Network and acknowledging the importance of happier, fitter, more active employees to their productivity. It is most welcome that the government has also now recognised this, and has put it in writing in the new Sport Strategy.
“We now need the support of the Department for Transport in order to ensure that the Network and its businesses can succeed in our aims of changing the face of transport in this country.”
