YOURS Business ensures old wheels keep on turning

BLACK Horse Finance has renewed its staff cycle fleet after a 150% rise in usage, and donated the old bikes to a Cardiff charity to be given a new lease of life.

Staff at its St William House offices in Cardiff pedalled more than 1,500 miles last year instead of driving or using taxis, substantially reducing their carbon footprint.

Part of Lloyds Banking Group, Black Horse Finance introduced bikes in 2013 with the help of Cardiff supplier, The Bike Shed. It has now renewed its fleet of 10 bikes and donated the old ones to a charity which repairs and recycles them.

David Green, business improvement consultant, said: “We piloted the use of bikes with the aim of reducing our carbon footprint for travelling around Cardiff and to make it easier for colleagues to attend client meetings. This has had a very positive impact, and we’ve found that there are many other advantages, too. It has not only helped colleagues’ punctuality but has encouraged them to exercise, which is proven to reduce stress, and some have bought their own bikes as a result of using the pool.

“The scheme has reinforced the value of Lloyds Banking Group as a great place to work.”

John Higgins, director of The Bike Shed, a major promoter of cycle-towork schemes and 2015 Cyclescheme Welsh Store of the Year, said: “Black Horse was one of the first to bring in pool bikes for staff to cut pollution, beat traffic around the city and encourage a healthy and happy workforce. They have made a big contribution to Cardiff’s cycle culture.”

The company’s old bikes have been handed to Cardiff Cycle Workshop, which gives a new lease of life to cycles that would otherwise be scrapped.