Our company Cycle To Work scheme is running in May.
Can I buy parts and not a whole bike?
This would be more useful to me as I don't need another cheapish bike, I'd rather buy better parts to upgrade my own bikes.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Cycle to Work Scheme - can I buy parts not bikes?
(18 posts)- Started 7 years ago by DaveC
- Latest reply from ARobComp
- This topic is
not a support question
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Posted 7 years ago #
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From what I've heard from friends in bike shops you can buy whatever you want as you're just given a voucher. A buddy upgraded his wheels and bought a dynamo light with his.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Can buy anything cycle related, and with parts/accessories you get the added bonus of not having the rip off final value handover fee to pay.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Dave, yes, you can buy parts rather than a whole bike, providing that you use those parts mainly for the purposes of cycling to work, and that those parts count as safety equipment.
Safety equipment isn't rigorously defined in HMRC's guidance note (EIM21664) but the note does give examples:
- Cycle helmets that conform to EN 1078
- Bells and horns
- Lights, including dynamo lights
- Child safety seats
- Reflective clothing and retroreflectors
The note also gives examples of what isn't safety equipment, including computers and GPS devices, and waterproof clothing that isn't reflective. I have also found that cycle racks for cars are not considered safety equipment. I would have to categorise upgraded wheels as not being safety equipment – unless that upgrade was specifically a front wheel with a hub dynamo. HMRC might argue that only the dynamo itself would attract the tax adjustment, but in reality scheme users aren't expected to make that distinction.
In practice, however, I have found that the definition of a bicycle and/or safety equipment is generally expanded to include typical accessories for the purposes of cycling work, such as waterproof clothing, locks and luggage.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Hmm, HR suggest it is allowed but walking into Ed Bike Coop at lunchtime, they said I could only buy a new bike and not components.
I'll go through the process and see what it says I can buy.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Dave, an LBC might be a better option as they are more likely to take a 'view'? I've found Edin Bike Coop not so good when I've spoke with them about cycle-to-work before as it erodes their margins (great for other stuff though!)
Posted 7 years ago # -
Cycle carriers (and jackets and locks) can be bought with bike to work vouchers.
I recently used one online via evans, so no questions asked at the store.
Went via Quidco too, so got 5% cashback. Which was nice.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I always thought the rules were quite strict that it had to be a complete bike (+ safety equipment).
Whether a bike shop knows/adheres to the rules is another question...
Posted 7 years ago # -
The below is from the FAQs on my work scheme (Cyclescheme). Getting accessories without a bike is allowed.
"What accessories are allowed?
Allowable accessories include:
Cycle helmets
Bells
Lights, including dynamo packs
Mirrors and mudguards to ensure riders visibility is not impaired
Cycle clips and dress guards
Panniers, luggage carriers and straps to allow luggage to be safely carried
Child safety seats
Locks and chains to ensure cycle can be safely secured
Pumps, puncture repair kits, cycle tool kits and tyre sealant to allow for minor repairs
Reflective clothing along with white front reflectors and spoke reflectorsThis list is by no means exhaustive, so if you do have questions about what accessories you can obtain our Contact Centre will be happy to help. Bicycle components such as frames etc. are not permitted."
Evans' Ride-to-Work scheme seems to be a bit more laissez-faire:
"You can get any adult bike and a wide range of cycling equipment and clothing. You can select cycling equipment with a bike, or if you are already have a bike and are cycling to work you can choose to get equipment only, with all the same tax savings.
A wide range of cycling equipment can be included on Ride-to-Work and scheme guidelines (as set by HMRC) advise a ‘common sense approach’ should be taken when considering items to include.
As a guide any items which help make you safer, keep your bike safe, or help with your commute can be included, as follows:Helmet
Lights
Locks
Bags and racks
Cycle clothing*
Any high-viz items
Cycle cameras
Shoes
Mudguards
Pedals
Saddles
Tyres
Stems, seat-posts
Replacement bike parts to keep your bike safe on the road, for example:Brakes
Chains
Cassettes
Derailleurs
Groupsets
Wheels
Tools and maintenance items (e.g. pumps, puncture repair kits, multi-tools but not workstands)
Child seats and car racks can be included for example, when your journey to work involves using either piece of equipment as part of the commute.
Cycle clothing needs to contain some high viz or reflective detail.
Please note HMRC currently excludes the following items from the scheme:
Computers, including GPS units
Energy food and drink"Posted 7 years ago # -
@HC - the scheme was recently (with the last year or two) extended to the list above.
https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/help/faqs/cyclescheme-package
Accessory only packages are now permitted - given the original concern that the items purchased need to be able to handed back at the end of the period, some of these might be harder to return!
Robert
Posted 7 years ago # -
Thanks. That's useful to know for when my current scheme expires.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"new acessories are required to make cycling to work easier (e.g. new waterproof/reflective clothing, Lights, Helmet)"
"easier" - better gears/brakes, smoother running wheels, better (puncture resistant) tyres??
Posted 7 years ago # -
mainly for the purposes of cycling to work
My previous employer didn't bother to check this. My colleague got a bike on the scheme, rode it to work just once and got herself featured in the promotional leaflet the following year.
Posted 7 years ago # -
A friend took out the maximum £1000 voucher, bought the cheapest Halfords Apollo bike he could get and spent the remaining £850 on wheels.
Posted 7 years ago # -
It really depends on the retailer and how strict they are with the rules... My company only allowed us to go via Halfords until recently, and Halfords won't allow you to push the envelope on this. Last year though they included a number of smaller independent shops in the scheme - I spoke to a few of them and figured that most of them don't mind some flexibility in interpreting the rules. The trick for me personally though is that going through Halfords I get 15% top-up for accessories, so that's a big opportunity cost.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Is it a http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk one?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Yes, but we can park this here as I have had feed back from a number of shops who say they only supply bikes and not components.
Cheers, Dave C
Posted 7 years ago # -
Hi Team.
We're kicking off a B2W scheme. Anyone got any good/bad experiences with any of the companies offering the serviced version (work very keen that it doesn't create extra admin). Keen to speak to anyone that's set one up as well.
At the moment looking at cyclescheme. Specifically we're all going to be buying bikes, so no worries about not being able to buy "stuff"
Posted 7 years ago #
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