Cycling in Belfast and the growth of CFE and CFB in Northern Ireland
Since the launch of the Cycle Friendly Buildings (CFB) scheme in November 2024, employers across the city have shown incredible commitment to making it easier for staff to cycle to work. Today, nearly 22,000 employees in Belfast work at cycling-accredited sites, a sharp rise from 14,000 just a year earlier.
The CFB accreditation builds on the success of our Cycle Friendly Employer (CFE) programme. While CFE recognises organisations that actively support cycling among their staff, the CFB scheme extends this support to commercial landlords. Many smaller businesses operate from shared buildings and have limited control over their facilities, so the introduction of CFB has allowed landlords to play a key role in supporting cycling. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with large numbers of landlords and sustainability consultants coming on board.
We believe this growth reflects how forward-thinking employers and property owners are taking the lead. While infrastructure investment across Northern Ireland still needs to catch up, workplaces are recognising that cycling offers significant benefits. It's a healthy, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to commute that also supports employee wellbeing and business resilience.
Cycling is a smart solution for Belfast businesses
Belfast faces major challenges with traffic congestion, and we know that encouraging more people to cycle is a practical way to address this. When staff cycle to work, organisations can reduce their environmental impact and take pressure off limited parking. With rising mileage costs and short commutes often faster by bike than by car, cycling simply makes sense.
Beyond the practical advantages, cycling also boosts workforce health, morale, and productivity. These are outcomes that benefit employers just as much as individuals, which is why we're seeing more and more businesses exploring how to create a cycle-friendly culture.
Real progress on the ground
The success of both the CFE and CFB schemes has been especially visible in Belfast. A key reason for this has been the work of the Linen Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), which has been a vital partner in helping organisations adopt cycle-friendly practices. Since the introduction of the CFB scheme in November 2024, two major employers - Invest NI and a government department - have joined, along with two large commercial buildings. This has increased the number of employees benefiting from cycling support by around 8,000.
To become accredited under either scheme, a workplace or building must go beyond simply offering secure bike storage and showers. Accreditation requires a comprehensive approach that includes guidance, staff communications, advice and incentives that encourage long-term behaviour change. At Cycling UK, we provide expert consultancy and support based on evidence-led engagement with local communities. This approach helps reduce emissions, cut congestion, and encourage more people to choose cycling every day.
A trusted and independent accreditation
We're proud to act as the sole UK auditor for the CFE and CFB schemes, on behalf of the European Cyclists’ Federation. Across Europe, more than 1,000 organisations are accredited, representing over one million employees. As a charity, we're uniquely positioned to offer independent advice. Unlike some other providers, we don't manufacture or sell cycling infrastructure. This means our accreditations are based solely on what's best for people and the planet.
Accredited organisations also gain access to bespoke support and membership of our network of cycle-friendly employers, where they can continue learning and sharing best practices with others.
One standout example in Belfast is The Ewart, one of the city’s most innovative office developments. In 2021, it achieved Gold standard Cycle Friendly Employer accreditation through a Linen Quarter BID initiative. The building now offers the most extensive cycling facilities of any Grade A office space in Northern Ireland and has helped set a new benchmark for sustainable commuting in the region.
What our partners say
Chris McCracken, Managing Director of Linen Quarter BID, said:
Linen Quarter BID is proud to support Cycling UK and the European Cyclists’ Federation in promoting both the Cycle Friendly Employer accreditation and, more recently, the Cycle Friendly Building Accreditation. We’ve seen positive interest from local organisations, with seven major organisations accredited covering thousands of employees within our BID area.
We continue to advocate for improved cycling infrastructure and facilities to support active travel to work, and hope to see a step change in investment following publication of DFI’s Eastern Transport Plan. We also offer financial assistance and practical guidance to our members, recognising that the Cycle Friendly Employer scheme is a key pillar of our vision to become Northern Ireland’s first healthy and sustainable district, boosting productivity while helping to cut congestion and pollution in our city.
Andrew McClean, our Northern Ireland lead, added:
It’s so great to see workplaces across Belfast embracing cycling as a healthy commuting option for staff while enjoying the many benefits to businesses.
By recognising and supporting businesses that champion cycling, we're not just promoting a healthier and more eco-friendly way to get to work, but also empowering workplaces to reduce congestion, cut costs, and improve productivity. The incredible success we've seen in Northern Ireland is a testament to the growing demand for this kind of change, and we'll continue to make the case for improved infrastructure at the national level to meet this demand.
