Sustainability Victoria's Salary Advance Bicycle Purchasing Policy

Sustainability Victoria, through its Bicycle Users Group, has had a Salary Advance Bicycle purchasing policy implemented. The policy provides the opportunity for permanent staff with at least 6 months service to seek a salary advance for the purchase of a bicycle for themselves or their family. This is provided as encouragement for staff and their families to use bicycles for commuting and recreational purposes. To date 10 bicycles have been purchased under the policy. Kelly Wickham, the ESSVEE BUG Convenor, is looking to reinvigorate the policy during their travel focus period in the office.

One purchaser via the policy and new BUG member said: I was and am pretty unconfident on a bicycle but with the support of the Salary Advance Bicycle Purchasing Policy I could afford a good quality, light weight, bike with all the bells and whistles to make me feel safe. I now ride to work at least two days a week or more, weather permitting, and I even took it on holidays. I love my new bike!

With 40 people on the Sustainability Victoria BUG the organisation has managed to normalise cycling as a viable form of commuter transport and occasionally new riders take up the mode. The result is an organisation capable of practicing what it preaches in terms of sustainable transport practices and the organisation has lived up to its transport targets. For more on the policy or ESSVEE BUG contact Kelly Wickham on kelly.wickham@sustainability.vic.gov.au