Cycle To Work Scheme
Discussion
I have about a 2 mile distance between my house and the train station. I'm currently driving but with the summer coming and an extra stone of weight round the middle compared to this time last year I'd quite like to cycle to the station. I currently have a Cube Aim mountain bike which isn't ideal for road cycling in a hurry and neither is my rather ancient 80's Motobecane racer so a new commuting bike is in order.
My work don't currently do the cycle to work scheme but I have been told if I can find out some information about it they may well think about offering it. Anyone have any experience with either using it or setting it up?
My work don't currently do the cycle to work scheme but I have been told if I can find out some information about it they may well think about offering it. Anyone have any experience with either using it or setting it up?
MrsMiggins said:
Thanks.There seemed to be loads of different things coming up when I googled it, available through Evans and Halfords etc.
mrmr96 said:
Gizmoish said:
Honestly: I wouldn't bother with it again.
You can't leave it there without explaining why!
I've explained it here before on a CTW thread - if anyone knows a quick way to trawl through my posts then feel free. In short; although I was happy with the bike I got... the scheme is a faff, I was limited to Evans by my employer and 'this year's model', and above all - I could have got an equivalent discount with a little bit of legwork and/or buying last year's model.
Note - I recently bought a Boardman CX Team for £630 against RRP of £899.
I've just got mine approved with cycle scheme after a week. No restrictions from my company on who to use either. It's been painless and my first road bike, a Cube Peleton Pro should be here on Saturday.
Cyclescheme.co.uk should give you plenty of info. You can include accessories on the scheme also upto a combined value of £1000.
Cheers
ACP
Cyclescheme.co.uk should give you plenty of info. You can include accessories on the scheme also upto a combined value of £1000.
Cheers
ACP
Gizmoish said:
I was on my phone I've explained it here before on a CTW thread - if anyone knows a quick way to trawl through my posts then feel free.
In short; although I was happy with the bike I got... the scheme is a faff, I was limited to Evans by my employer and 'this year's model', and above all - I could have got an equivalent discount with a little bit of legwork and/or buying last year's model.
Note - I recently bought a Boardman CX Team for £630 against RRP of £899.
When I was talking to Evans recently they were perfectly happy to let you buy sale bikes on the scheme - one of the very few who were. They'll even honour their usual price match guarantee (which includes online). Obviously you are limited to the brands they supply, but it's one of the better ones IMHO. I've explained it here before on a CTW thread - if anyone knows a quick way to trawl through my posts then feel free. In short; although I was happy with the bike I got... the scheme is a faff, I was limited to Evans by my employer and 'this year's model', and above all - I could have got an equivalent discount with a little bit of legwork and/or buying last year's model.
Note - I recently bought a Boardman CX Team for £630 against RRP of £899.
If it's a reasonably small company not wanting to sign up to a big scheme it is possible to organise a scheme yourself. There are only 9 people in my office, no one else is up to cycling everywhere. I did the leg work and got all the paperwork together which the accountant and owner both checked over before agreeing it was all fine and that we could go with it.
I wasn't restricted in any way and bought a bike in the sale, £1000 bike reduced to £699, tax benefit, national insurance benefit (company saves a bit here too) and less paid off on the student loan (that will be paid off in a few years anyway and takes a nice little chunk out of what you actually pay on a monthly basis).
If you can do it this way it is very worthwhile.
I wasn't restricted in any way and bought a bike in the sale, £1000 bike reduced to £699, tax benefit, national insurance benefit (company saves a bit here too) and less paid off on the student loan (that will be paid off in a few years anyway and takes a nice little chunk out of what you actually pay on a monthly basis).
If you can do it this way it is very worthwhile.
magpie215 said:
slicks and mudguards on the MTB and away you go. for that short a commute that is what I would do.
Seconded. Tbh for a four mile round trip spending £30 on a set of slicks will do it. Unless youre going on a longer ride there's no real point getting a road bike for it - you can always do that later.oyster said:
OP, why would you want to buy a new bike for 4 miles a day to and from the station?
I'd find a used bargain on eBay and spend £50-£100 and no more, then spend on decent locks. For that mileage you'll probably not need to do any maintenance for months/years on end.
I'm a keen cyclist anyway so I'd dare say it would get used more than just for getting to and from the station. I have wanted to start doing a few weekends away cycling with mates for ages.I'd find a used bargain on eBay and spend £50-£100 and no more, then spend on decent locks. For that mileage you'll probably not need to do any maintenance for months/years on end.
The station has secure, lockable cycle storage units so I'm too worried about the bike getting nicked or damaged...
I just though it might be a way to buy a decent bike that I could use for both commuting and pleasure at a heftily reduced cost.
PedroB said:
oyster said:
OP, why would you want to buy a new bike for 4 miles a day to and from the station?
I'd find a used bargain on eBay and spend £50-£100 and no more, then spend on decent locks. For that mileage you'll probably not need to do any maintenance for months/years on end.
I'm a keen cyclist anyway so I'd dare say it would get used more than just for getting to and from the station. I have wanted to start doing a few weekends away cycling with mates for ages.I'd find a used bargain on eBay and spend £50-£100 and no more, then spend on decent locks. For that mileage you'll probably not need to do any maintenance for months/years on end.
The station has secure, lockable cycle storage units so I'm too worried about the bike getting nicked or damaged...
I just though it might be a way to buy a decent bike that I could use for both commuting and pleasure at a heftily reduced cost.
gazza285 said:
It's not for riding to work on at all, is it? You just want me, the tax payer, to subsidise your new bike, and you can keep on riding the battered and old bike to work. Exactly what I would do.
I think that is a bit harsh. My battered old road bike is pretty much scrap, it needs parts that aren't produced anymore, even if I ebayed for the bits it needs I reckon it would be £200 to fix. Good money after bad on a battered old bike that wasn't even expensive new.
My mountain bike gets used most weekends offroad and I don't want the hassle of constantly having to change tyres and wheels depending on what riding I'm doing.
I'm a taxpayer too and, I don't see any mention of only being allowed to use a cycle to work bike for cycling to work.
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