You might have heard of the Cycle to Work scheme, but how does it work and can you really get a new commuting bike without having to pay for it up front?
If you’ve decided to get fit and save money by starting to cycle to work then a brand new bike isn’t essential.
Maybe you’ve got a trusty old bike in the shed or can arrange to borrow one from a friend so you can try commuting by bike.
But once you’ve tasted the freedom of cycling to work you might want to buy a better bike that’s more suited to your commuting route.
That’s where the Cycle to Work scheme can come in handy.
What is the Cycle to Work scheme?
The Cycle to Work scheme is designed to help you save money on a new work bike and spread the cost of the bike over monthly tax-free instalments through your employer.
And now most schemes offer you the chance to purchase an electric bike (e-bike) if you're looking for something to give you an extra boost on your commute.
How does the Cycle to Work scheme work?
There are a few different scheme providers out there each with its own variations but the basic idea is the same.
It’s a simple process:
- Your workplace registers with a scheme provider
- You choose the bike you want
- Your employer pays for it
- You pay your employer back through monthly instalments taken through payroll.
Salary sacrifice periods are for a minimum of 12 months (but can be for longer) and your employer can advise on the spending limit.
Green Commute Initiative allows for the repayments to be spread over 12-48 months (as agreed with the employer), and they are registered with the FCA for Consumer Hire.
How does the tax-free bit work?
Monthly payments for the new bike are taken from the employee’s gross salary before any tax is deducted.
You’ll be paying less tax and National Insurance every month that you’re paying off the bike.
This means that at the end of the scheme, you’ll have saved up to 32% of the actual cost of the bike for basic-rate taxpayers.
And even more for higher rate ones. And you’ll have spread the cost into manageable monthly payments too.
With most providers, there is an end-of-scheme payment.
This is because technically you have been loaned the bike and you have to buy it at what HMRC call a fair market value.
This usually works out around 7%, though the Green Commute Initiative only charges £1.
The Cycle to Work scheme is easy to access and won’t take up much administration time for your employer.
There’s a financial benefit for your employer too.
They end up paying less employer national insurance contribution so they save about 13% on the cost of the bike.
So your employer pays for the bike from you in monthly instalments, and saves 13% in the process and gets a healthier, happier more productive staff member who doesn’t need a parking space.
Ask your employer if they’re already signed up. If not, suggest they register with a scheme provider such as Cyclescheme or the Green Commute Initiative.
