IKEA staff told to get on their bikes

December 15, 2006

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IKEA has given out folding bikes to thousands of employees to encourage them to cycle to work.

The furniture giant presented the gifts to around 9,000 members of staff today.

It is offering the same employees a 15% subsidy on travel tickets to help them take public transport to work.

The Ikea-branded bikes were delivered to staff at their annual Christmas breakfast event today.

Ikea's UK country manager Peter Hogsted said: "We want to create a better everyday life for the many, and do what we can to make greener living possible."

The chain said its decision to stop handing out free plastic bags earlier this year had cut the volume used from its stores by 97% in the UK.

What do you think? Have your say.

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Ace Riley, manchester (15/12/2006 at 16:49)

Great idea its just a shame that other retail outlets dont do the same? well done at least somebody is trying ?

Jake Long, Manchester, City Centre (16/12/2006 at 19:10)

[sarcasm]I am sure they are delighted.[/sarcasm] Why don't they offer free mangles to housewives or a free abacus for each cashier. Bicycles belong to a bygone age. They have been replaced by motorised vehicles, which are far more efficient and useful.

PW, Manchester (17/12/2006 at 08:43)

Just one major setback with this kind of transport. Employees are expected to turn out appropriately groomed for work, especially if they're dealing with the public. Turning in half-frozen, soaked, mudded and sweated up isn't going to help those standards. Would Ikea provide showers, and the time to use them?

Ady, Gatley (17/12/2006 at 11:08)

The only thing that belongs to a bygone age is Jake Longs mentality. The cycle is the most energy efficient vehicle there has ever been, and in the very near future will be the only way to travel through city centres. Long has a peverse hate for cyclists, seek help.

Alison, Bristol (17/12/2006 at 18:23)

As per usual you are talking gibberish Jake. The problem is - and I'm speaking generally - that the reason many people who would otherwise cycle DON'T is because of their fear of being killed or seriously injured by fast-moving traffic. Introduce strictly enforced 20mph limits on the vast majority of roads in towns and cities and villages and many,many more people will get on their bikes.

G, Bury (18/12/2006 at 14:53)

Any of these bikes on Ebay yet??

Ace Riley, Manchester (18/12/2006 at 15:12)

I see lots of office workers and shop workers going to and from work on their bikes? so how you have worked out all this garbage about freezing wet ect ? Lots of people go to work on bikes maybe jake needs to try some exercise rather than slagging these companys that are at least trying ?

Jake Long, Manchester, City Centre (18/12/2006 at 21:18)

I have an exercise bike that is in my house in a nice warm comfortable environment. If you want to use a pushbike then feel free. I do not hate or wish to ban or control anything that does not directly and adversely affect somebody's life, liberty or property. It seems to be most other people on this forum that want to control, restrict and ban things. This does not however make it any less of a fact that the pushbike is old fashioned. Many years ago it was superseded by the motorbike.

Geoff, Sheffield (19/12/2006 at 09:16)

I am now the proud owner of one of these IKEA folding bike, passed on to me by my son, who is not inclined to use it.
I cycle to work already, and love it.

Good points: nice idea by IKEA, and I hope it encourages some to give it a try, but they are beginning to appear on ebay already - should be a buyer's market with 9000 around this Christmas - probably get one for less than ¿¿100.

Bad points: made by Raleigh, the bikes are heavy (13kg), and would put off even the dedicated enthusiast from lugging it on a train. They are meant to come with a bag to cover the greasy bits and hide the bike, but this is missing, and would probably lead to it being banned from Supertram (Sheffield is bike hostile).
Finally, the instructions are not very clear on how to fold it - it always seems to have the handlebars poking out at an odd angle - any other Ikea bikers out there who have solved the folding problem?

Chris, London (03/01/2007 at 20:58)

What fun it is listening to Mr Jake. So sad really. I've just won one of the Ikea bikes on ebay, at a pretty good price, and am quite keen to give it a go and offer up a review. As someone who cycles 8 to 10 thousand miles a year, I've always fancied a little folder to leave in the car boot for those times when the sun is shining and I've been forced to drive somewhere. Three cheers to Ikea - I'll let you know how the thing performs against the rest of the stable after I pick her up tomorrow.

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