THE council is set to start running a Cycle to Work scheme for its staff as more commuters leave behind cars and trains to ride their bikes.

The plans look set to be rubber stamped at next week's cabinet meeting and will see the authority buying up bikes from participating shops and then loaning them back to employees.

Aimed at improving fitness and reducing pollution, employees would be able to claim bikes and bike accessories as tax- free benefits under the Government's green transport plan.

They can then buy back the bikes after 12 or 18 months for a 'fair market value'.

One of the stores taking part is Bike Trax, in Cambridge Park, Wanstead.

Owner Martin Backes said: “You can get up to 40 per cent off on bikes up to £1,000. Any company can take part as long as they're a member of the scheme.”

He added that the rise in cycling's popularity was more to do with wanting freedom than about feeling the credit crunch bite.

Mr Backes said: “Rather than getting on a train and then hurrying up to the City, people in Wanstead have realised that in 35 minutes, you can be in Canary Wharf.

“It's more about efficiency and trying to escape the rat race – it becomes like an exciting challenge to see how quickly you can get to work.”

And more commuters might even be turning to two-wheeled transport over other ways of getting around over fears of swine flu, Mr Backes said.

He said: “People fear getting on the train. In the fresh air, it's a lot safer. It's about freedom and health, as well as convenience.”

The scheme will go before the cabinet on Tuesday and follows similar initiatives set up in Waltham Forest and Newham.