Cycle to Work Schemes
... to mention 3 of many
Some information about the Cycle to Work Programmes that are out there. You may likely have heard of them, but are maybe unsure of what is involved. To purchase a bicycle on some of the scheme we may ask a small comntribution towards the administration cost we are charged by the Programme administrator. Hopefully some of the information below will help you understand the Programmes available and how they may benefit you!
The main Cycle to Work operator is CycleScheme, so the questions below are based around their policy, other operators may vary slightly, but the general rules are the same.
- How does this work?
Find out if your employer is signed up to a Cycle to Work Scheme, if not, don't read any further, you might just get bored! or do read further and persuade you employer to get on board -the process to get on board for an employer is not very complex as the Scheme operators are keen to help!
If your Employer is signed up to a scheme you can come by and look at what bike is most suitable for you, we then fill out a quotation with you. This can also be done by yourself at home, but we have a lovely fireplace here, a great coffee machine, a fine kettle, and usually a cupboard full of biscuits so why would you want to fill in forms anywhere else?!
Then take your quotation to the HR or Personnel department at your place of employment and they will process it for the next phase.
- How long does it take before i can pick up my new bike?
It can depend on your Employer and what they have set in place, but generally, it can a few weeks for everything to be processed. In that time we will build your bike up in the shop and fit any accessories to it, then when your certificate comes through, you can drop in, (with a valid for on Identification, passport, driving license etc), get set up on the bike and ride away! (or put it in the back of the car!)
- The Big Question: How much do I actually saving?
This is really down to how much you earn and what the value of your certificate is. But generally your likely to save between 30% to 40% off the RRP value of the Items.
We've put a table together to give you an idea of the savings to be made:
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A Quote based on the following items; |
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Total Price: £999.98
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Cost after savings for higher rate tax payer:
£579.98 |
Cost after savings for basic rate tax payer:
£679.98 |
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Example Savings
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40% tax, 2% NI
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20% tax, 12% NI
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Package RRP
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£999.98
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£999.98
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Incoming tax and NI saved
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£420
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£320
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Monthly hire payments (before tax)
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£83.33
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£83.33
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Monthly hire payments (take home pay)
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£48.33
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£56.67
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Percentage saving
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42.00%
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32.00%
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- What happens after twelve months?
You're technically hiring the bike from CycleScheme for 12 months Cyclescheme will be in touch after this period you have a few options...
Option One: Enter into an Extended Use Agreement (EUA). You'll pay a one-off deposit of 7% of the voucher value (3% for vouchers below £500 in value).
This option then allows you to continue to ride the bike for the next 3 years, which, by the end of, the HMRC believes its value is then equal to the deposit you originally paid when signing up to the agreement. CycleScheme will contact you to after this time to ask if you want to return the bike or keep the bike for the deposit you paid.
Option Two: You can return the bike to the CycleScheme
Option Three: You can purchase the bike from CycleScheme for 25% of the vouchers value i.e £250 on a £1000 voucher (if the voucher is less than £500, it would be 18% of the value, £90.)
- Can I get any accessories on the scheme?
You sure can, if they are deemed to be eligible for the use. i.e. helmet, mudguards, lightsets, weatherproof clothing. The kind of items that will enhance your cycle to work.
The list of things you can't apply for under the scheme may be longer; kids trailers, servicing, spare wheels, turbo trainers, GPS computers or anything race related. But then the journey to work isn't a race! The schemes are there to get you a great bike at an affordable price, if you want to be a weekend racer, save your pennies for that Ridley Noah, or Felt F-Series!
There are quite a few schemes operating at the moment, but we work with the main contenders out there at the moment:
- CycleScheme (for employees of eg NHS, County Councils, Contabularies etc)
- Gogetta
- Green Commute Innitiative
- Halfords Cycle2Work (for employees of eg Carlisle City Council)
- Bike2Work (for Smaller companies, organisations and the Self Employed)
- BiketoWork (for employees for Irish Companies)
- Cycle Solutions
- Bikes for Staff
- etc etc.