WorkRide, a New Zealand benefit scheme, has launched in Dunedin and enables business employees to get discounts on electric bikes.
Dunedin funeral home Hope & Sons manager Andrew Maffey signed up his business in November and said staff jumped on board.
"We signed up almost as soon as it came out," he said.
"It’s worked out as a win-win for everybody, really.
"We’ve got three that have bought bikes and many more looking who will probably be getting bikes."
The benefit scheme provides employees of WorkRide-registered employers the ability to cost-offset between 32% and 63% of the in-store price of a new bike, e-bike or scooter, made possible by tax exemptions.
WorkRide co-founder Aidan Smith said the employer initially funded the ride benefit. and employees contributed through a pre-tax salary sacrifice over 12 months, ultimately leading to ownership of the bike at no additional cost.
Since December, more than 170 companies from New Zealand have offered WorkRide to their staff.
Hope & Sons funeral director Chaim Cleavin said since he got his bike he had cycled to work as much as he could and it was "just gorgeous".
"The work we do is pretty special and we’re really privileged to do it, but often you’ll find yourself at the end of the working day and I’ll leave and get home with the suit on ... now I get changed into some other clothes and get some fresh air.
"It’s nice to have that as a process to leave work at work and enjoy the ride home."
