Dealing with impacts of the fuel crisis
A hot topic at the moment. EECA have a great resource here Fuel saving tips | EECA where everyone will find some great opportunities to make their precious fuel go further.
Here are some great ideas for RCAs to help local businesses and organisations to support their staff with the impacts of the fuel crisis (courtesy of Christchurch City Council):
Employer-supported “Ride to Work” schemes: Bike, e‑bike and e‑scooter purchases
“Ride to Work” schemes allow employees to save between 32%–63% on the cost of a new bike, e-bike, or e-scooter. The employer purchases an approved bike or scooter chosen by an employee, and the employee repays the cost through salary sacrifice over 12 months.
Two IRD‑approved schemes are currently available:
· The Wheel Deal: www.thewheeldeal.nz
· Workride: www.workride.co.nz
These schemes are enabled by recent tax changes that exempt bikes and e‑scooters used for commuting from Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT). For many central city staff, cycling or e‑scooting can significantly reduce daily fuel and parking costs.
Extraordinary Pay – pre‑tax public transport payment for your staff
Extraordinary is an IRD‑approved platform that allows employees of workplaces who offer the scheme to pay for public transport from their pre-tax income. Christchurch’s bus system costs $3 a fare, or $30 a week for unlimited bus trips, and Extraordinary significantly reduces the overall cost of commuting by bus even further.
More information is available here:
www.extraordinarypay.com/our-solutions/public-transport
Flexible work hours and a Guaranteed Ride Home
Offering flexibility around start and finish times (where feasible) can make public transport a more practical option for central city commuters. It may allow staff to take a bus that arrives shortly after their usual start time, or to travel on a less crowded service.
For employees with childcare or caring responsibilities, uncertainty around unexpected pick‑ups (for example, if their child falls sick) can be a barrier to cycling or using public transport. Allowing occasional access to a work vehicle for urgent personal trips can ease concerns and make alternative travel options feel more realistic.
Improving or expanding secure staff cycle parking
Secure, convenient, and weather-protected cycle parking is key to enable staff to bike to work.
As a guide, a single car park space can typically accommodate 8–10 bicycles using free‑standing Sheffield cycle racks, which you can order and get manufactured locally.
Public e‑scooter corporate plans
Using a public e-scooter is a great option, either for an entire journey or combined with public transport by providing a faster way to get to and from the bus stop.
Public e-scooter operators often offer workplace plans that employers can sign up to. These may include discounted riding rates, unlock fees and weekly riding credit.
Subsidised wet‑weather gear
A one-off allowance to help staff purchase wet weather gear can make year-round active and public transport more comfortable and appealing. Items such as rain jackets, umbrellas, rain pants, mudguards, and waterproof panniers can significantly improve the commuting experience during winter.
Bike maps
Councils will likely have bike maps showing connected networks within their jurisdictions. Christchurch’s online map is available here: www.ccc.govt.nz/transport/getting-around/cycling
Bike skills workshops for your staff
Councils also often fund free Bike Skills workshops which offer foundational skills to urban riding and then confident riding in traffic.
