The decision to use the electric bikes was also influenced by a government initiative enabling employers to offer their employees an electric bike to use for commuting to and from work, without VAT, income tax or NI payable on the bike. Memset is able to give its staff a benefit, similar to a company car, but without the salary-sacrifice. The use of electric bikes will also significantly reduce petrol dependency, air pollution, and subsequent greenhouse effects.

The bikes create up to 99 percent less pollution than the cleanest fossil-fuel powered vehicles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, offers a real alternative to the huge costs of driving. Electrically-assisted bicycles are road legal in the UK and do not require an MOT, log book, Tax disc, congestion charges, parking charges, insurance, or carbon fuel. 

"With three out of every five car journeys being less than five miles, we knew we could reduce the dependency on our cars by using electric bikes for the daily commute to work," says Kate Craig-Wood, managing director of Memset. "It's really just like riding a normal bike, except that the small motor on board helps when you peddle. It takes the sting out of a steep hill or a journey that's a bit too far, and keeps me fit as well."