Cycle Scheme Information
What is Cycle to Work?
To encourage healthier commutes and mitigate environmental pollution, the 1999 Finance Act introduced an annual tax exemption. This provision enables employers to provide bicycles and safety equipment to their employees as a tax-free benefit, promoting the Cycle to Work Scheme. This initiative is part of the Government's broader Green Transport Plan, encompassing various measures to address environmental concerns.
Who do we partner with?
Administration of this scheme can be carried out by your employer or by one of the many companies that offer to act as administrators, the biggest being Cyclescheme. We have chosen to partner up with the follwing providors - are Cyclescheme, Green Commute Initiative and vivup. These Cycle to Work scheme administrators issue you with a certificate that, once authorised by your employer, can be exchanged for a bike and any safety equipment at Sigma Sports.
How does it work?
Cycle to work schemes enable employers to provide their employees with a bike for commuting through a salary sacrifice arrangement. This means that employees can use a portion of their gross pay to reimburse the employer for the bike's cost. Since the gross pay is pre-tax, employees save on the tax and national insurance that would have been applicable to the sacrificed amount. Additionally, this arrangement allows employees to distribute the cost over monthly paychecks, offering a convenient and more affordable payment option.
How much can I spend?
This is decided by your employer. Some employers will allow you to spend as much as they want whilst others will have a cap. If you have eyes on a bike that is more expensive than your employers allowance then get in touch with us here.
Can I choose sale items?
Yes, but bikes and accessories reduced from the full RRP (Sale) may be subject to a sale item surcharge. This % charge is dependent on the scheme provider used. To find out more contact us for a quote.
The reason we will often have to add a surcharge is because cyclescheme providers take a relatively significant part of our margin. Sale bikes purchased on a cyclescheme can therefor run the risk of us losing money on a sale which is not good business for anyone!
What can I include in my order?
You can include most accessories in your order, however these products are excluded, Power meters, Headphones, GPS bike computers and navigation devices, Bike racks for cars, Cameras, Turbo trainers or rollers, Gift cards and Nutritional products.
Discount codes or any other offers cannot be applied against Cycle to Work orders.
ORDER ONLINE USING CYCLESCHEME, GCI and VIVUP
If your employer is signed up with Cyclescheme then ordering your bike online with at Fife Cycles could not be easier. Simply select PAY BY CYCLESCHEME during checkout and email your cyclescheme voucher to info@fifecycles.co.uk. We will be in touch within 24 hours to confirm the order and arrange delivery / collection of your new bike
Products excluded from cyclescheme purchases
- Bike Racks, Powermeters, GPS Computers, Turbo Trainers, Gift Vouchers, Nutritional Products.
USING CYCLE TO WORK VOUCHERS IN-STORE
We accept the same cycle-scheme voucher in our shop - Cyclescheme, Vivup, and Green Commute Initiative. Follow the steps below to use the Cycle to Work vouchers in-store.
STEP 1
Your employer needs to be registered with one of the above Cycle to Work schemes. They can find out how to do this from information on one of the Cycle to Work Scheme websites (see above).
STEP 2
Visit us at Fife Cycles, get advise from myself, Innes or Ross and choose the right bike for you along with any safety equipment required.
STEP 3
You apply for a Certificate online using the relevant Cycle to Work Scheme website. Your employee will usually sign an online Hire Agreement at this time.
STEP 4
Once approved, a Certificate will be issued to either your employer or directly to you, whichever is requested.
STEP 5
The Certificate is then redeemed at Fife Cycles in exchange for the bike package. Salary sacrifice then commences over the hire period (usually 12 months).
STEP 6
At the end of the hire period the owner of the bike may choose to offer the employee ownership of the bike for a full market value.
Although the above procedure applies to the vast majority of schemes there are some variations that are a result of the way an employer’s scheme is set up, typical examples would be if they are using a finance company or a benefits provider.