I think the current scheme does need reform, the people who are most in need of a bike can’t use this scheme. For instance those in insecure work, or who are on / near minimum wage, or who need a bike to access education. I don’t see how a salary sacrifice scheme could ever help those groups, really! And I think it is unfair that the more you earn, the more you save. Probably needs replacing with something completely different. Maybe a voucher scheme so you can apply to buy a bike with 0% VAT?
Reminds me of Tebbit’s on your bike speech.
Recycling the old “get in your bike” line
It’s just a stupid bloody scheme.
If you are on a short term contract, you can often not use it.
You only ‘rent’ the bike from your work and don’t actually buy it.
You have to use the scheme and shops that your work choose
Minimum wage people can’t use it as this takes them below the minimum wage.
The maximum loan isn’t enough for a good e-bike
I’ve only ever seen this scheme used by people where cycling is the hobby rather than to help with work access.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the larger portion of bikes purchased were of the expensive type.
My suggestion would be to encourage people onto electric bikes.
“Nah, that’s too much like common sense” – Sunak, probably
I have seen it far more as a way for people in stable employment to get decent bikes cheaper and paying monthly than anyone in genuine need to get to work. That seems the focus more on schemes were you can get refurbished bikes free or for £100 or whatever, run by charities. A nearby prison does them here even.
Scrap the scheme and charge 0% VAT on bicycles.
Just give people some money to not own a car. They can work out what kind of transport works for them. Why specifically cycle to work, if someone wants to run to work, let them.
the most stupid thing i got from the cycle to work scheme was it doesnt cover conversion kits. plenty of people have perfectly serviceable bikes that could be turned into e-bikes for a fraction of the cost.
i spent 900 on such a kit, and for the same spec prebuilt e-bike would have been over 2500. i spent a total of about 1300.
10 comments
I think the current scheme does need reform, the people who are most in need of a bike can’t use this scheme. For instance those in insecure work, or who are on / near minimum wage, or who need a bike to access education. I don’t see how a salary sacrifice scheme could ever help those groups, really! And I think it is unfair that the more you earn, the more you save. Probably needs replacing with something completely different. Maybe a voucher scheme so you can apply to buy a bike with 0% VAT?
Reminds me of Tebbit’s on your bike speech.
Recycling the old “get in your bike” line
It’s just a stupid bloody scheme.
If you are on a short term contract, you can often not use it.
You only ‘rent’ the bike from your work and don’t actually buy it.
You have to use the scheme and shops that your work choose
Minimum wage people can’t use it as this takes them below the minimum wage.
The maximum loan isn’t enough for a good e-bike
I’ve only ever seen this scheme used by people where cycling is the hobby rather than to help with work access.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the larger portion of bikes purchased were of the expensive type.
My suggestion would be to encourage people onto electric bikes.
“Nah, that’s too much like common sense” – Sunak, probably
I have seen it far more as a way for people in stable employment to get decent bikes cheaper and paying monthly than anyone in genuine need to get to work. That seems the focus more on schemes were you can get refurbished bikes free or for £100 or whatever, run by charities. A nearby prison does them here even.
Scrap the scheme and charge 0% VAT on bicycles.
Just give people some money to not own a car. They can work out what kind of transport works for them. Why specifically cycle to work, if someone wants to run to work, let them.
the most stupid thing i got from the cycle to work scheme was it doesnt cover conversion kits. plenty of people have perfectly serviceable bikes that could be turned into e-bikes for a fraction of the cost.
i spent 900 on such a kit, and for the same spec prebuilt e-bike would have been over 2500. i spent a total of about 1300.