cycle 2 work scheme

MrT

Apologies if this has been asked before...i'm new to this section.
We're possibly going to get this up and running at the school i work at....but as usual the bean counters are twitchy......Can you get a bike from any c2w participating store or do you have to nominate just one place where everyone has to get their steed from?

sc999cs

You're lucky they're even considering it. My employers don't feel c2w offers value for money and won't offer it. A friend who works at a Tax office told me that even the HMRC don't offer the scheme because they feel it is poor value for money!

Steve C

AllyT

I'm looking into the scheme at the moment. You can get a bike from any participating store including on-line outlets. Good time at the moment with sales starting.

alfablue

There are various ways to do it:

1) company sets up its own scheme, allows you to buy from any bike shop. They can download the paperwork from the likes of Wiggle and customise it. There is not a great deal more admin involved doing it in house than using a proprietary scheme.

2) company uses Cyclescheme, they provide forms and vouchers, you use any shop that is in Cyclescheme (which is most LBS's, and many online shops). Wiggle aren't allowed to do cyclescheme (cyclescheme won't deal with them). I wanted a Focus Cayo from Wiggle or a Planet-X - fortunately Planet-X do cyclescheme. You have the choice of all the shops in the scheme, but when you select your shop/bike the voucher is made out to them, so at that point you can't change your mind. Lots of info and FAQ's here

3) use a shops own scheme, so Halfords (who undertake to get any bike even if not their usual stock), Evans, Wiggle, Edinburgh Cycle Co-op. You are confined to bikes from their stores.

So on the face of it, if the company wants to go it alone you have the best choice. Cyclescheme appears to offer the next best thing, but note that Cyclescheme charge the shop 10% comission so some shops won't do sale prices and/or charge a premium (Spa Cycles for example add 12.5% on Cyclescheme purchases; Ribble charge a £50 premium), however there are still many shops that don't charge a premium.

In terms of value for money - well it is obviously great for the employee, saving maybe £400 on a £1000 bike. For the employer they do save a small amount by virtue of not paying 12.5% national insurance contributions on the sum paid by the employee. Admin costs are minimal, and there are great benefits in terms of green transport credentials, and employee satisfaction (I know the latter is a total taboo to some employers!).

My employer is quite pleased with themselves over doing the scheme.