Britain’s fastest growing supermarket, Aldi, has declared its support for British Cycling by becoming the first supermarket to sign up to the #ChooseCycling network.

Set up in March 2015, the #ChooseCycling network highlights the role cycling can play in helping businesses thrive by encouraging people to live healthier lives and making Britain a more pleasant place to live.

The retailer, this year named Britain’s Best Supermarket by Which? for the fourth time, joins a 30-strong network of other leading businesses including Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline, the AA and the National Grid in supporting British Cycling’s campaign to promote cycling as an everyday transport option. Representatives from member companies meet twice a year to discuss news and innovative ways of promoting the cycling agenda.

Aldi will now encourage thousands of its employees across the UK to get on their bikes and cycle to work as part of its well established Bike to Work scheme. Aldi currently participates in the Government scheme, enabling employees to save up to 42 per cent on purchasing a new bike for work by hiring it directly from Aldi and making monthly, tax-free, repayments from their salary.

Graham Hetherington, Regional Managing Director at Aldi, said: “The success of the Great Britain Cycling Team is world-renowned and has helped turn Britain into a nation of cycling enthusiasts. Aldi is a keen supporter of British sport and through partnerships such as this and Team GB we are aiming to encourage people to be fit and active.

“We provide employees with cycling facilities and look forward to working with British Cycling to get more people choosing cycling as a means of travel.”

Martin Key, campaign manager for British Cycling, said: “It’s great to see the momentum now being generated by the #ChooseCycling network. The profile and the influence of the companies we now have on board is fantastic, and shows the appetite for real change amongst businesses, their employees and the customers they serve.

“We’re delighted that Aldi are now part of the network and we look forward to them playing an active part in what is now a thriving network of companies.”

In 2015, as part of its commitment to British quality, Aldi became the first official supermarket to support Team GB in their preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Aldi currently employs 28,000 people in the UK and plans to create 35,000 new jobs by 2022 as it expands it store numbers and supporting network of distribution centres and offices.

According to recent Kantar Worldpanel data (12 weeks to 13 September 2015) Aldi holds a record market share of 5.6%.