Ride to Work Tax Scheme

Australia will have a Federal Election soon (before the end of May). We know Bicycle Queensland members are deeply engaged in working towards a better nation and are keen to have their say. We think that one simple change the Federal Government could make would be to allow the purchase of bicycles and e-bicycles for transport to work to be salary-sacrificed.

If you agree, please write to the candidates in your Federal electorate. We have some suggested text below.

Follow the prompts to send your letter:

1. copy and paste the below draft into your email
2. take the link to access your candidates information – https://www.craft.do/s/nQ1Nv2wnHuAWfu
3. send your email for a healthier Australia

Letter to Federal Candidates

Dear candidate

One massive challenge facing Australia today is how to help people make personal changes towards a sustainable future, rather than relying on Government or business.

I’m writing to you as a candidate for the 2022 Federal Election to put forward one idea which would get us to Net Zero emissions faster and also make the population healthier.

Australia should follow the UK’s lead and give substantial tax breaks for people buying bicycles and e-bicycles used for transport (1). The UK Cycle to Work scheme generates twice as much economic benefit to the nation in health and physical fitness as it costs in lost taxes (2).

This 2:1 cost-benefit ratio makes this a no-brainer for the Australian context. Why wouldn’t we want to have a healthier population, with a lower risk of heart disease, more alert and productive at work, and reduce traffic congestion and pollution at the same time?

A Cycle To Work tax scheme would achieve all these benefits, and the UK example shows there’s simply no downside. I look forward to your response.

Yours towards a healthier Australia

regards

(name)

A bike rider.

Notes:

1.Cycle to Work scheme guidance for employers.

2.UK Cycle to Work scheme generates UKP 72 million in economic benefits a year.2022 Federal

Find your candidate below:

https://www.craft.do/s/nQ1Nv2wnHuAWfu