Green civil servants who get on their bikes to do official business are to be rewarded with a doubling of their cycling mileage rate, writes Miriam Donohoe, Political Staff
The Department of Finance has confirmed that the Civil Service bicycle mileage rate is to be increased from six cent a mile to 12 cent a mile following agreement with the unions.
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen confirmed to Green Party leader Trevor Sargent in a written Dáil reply this week that the rate is to be increased following a review and consultation with staff associations. A spokesman for the department confirmed last night the increase is to kick in "shortly".
The increase in the current bicycle rate of six cent per mile has been calculated partly on inflation since 1990, and on the fact that the rate has not increased "for a number of years", Mr Cowen told Mr Sargent.
However, in deciding on the increase, the Minister said he had to consider whether using a bicycle for official purposes for journeys over a certain distance is practicable. He said he had to take into account whether it is cost effective on a value for money basis, and if cycling would not result in a significant loss of official time.
A spokesman for the Minister stressed that the mileage rate is for journeys undertaken by bicyle on official business, and is not paid to civil servants to cycle from their homes to their office. He said the number of civil servants who claim bicycle mileage, or the cost to the State of the mileage every year, would take some time to calculate and the information was not at hand.
Last night Mr Sargent described the six-cent increase as "totally inadequate and not in keeping with inflation" and would do little to encourage civil servants to use their bikes rather than their cars for state business.
"This is not an increase at all when you take into account the rate of inflation over the years. It shows no awareness of the potential to change commuters' habits for people living within a reasonable distance from their workplaces."
Mr Sargent said the rate is also at variance with other European countries. "I suggest to the Minister and other Ministers to go to Copenhagen or Amsterdam at their own expense and to enjoy and appreciate the fact that cyclists are encouraged there and that it leads to a happier environment."
The Green Party leader said if more civil servants had an incentive to bring their bicycles to work and use them for official business it would ultimately save the exchequer money. "There would be savings in paying our car mileage and savings to the health service long term."
The new rate of 12 cent compares to rates ranging from 83.92 cent to 126.01 cent a mile for cars, depending on engine size, for up to the first 4,000 miles. After 4,000 miles the rate reduces to between 43.39 cent to 58.97 cent a mile.