Sorry to flood y'all with Guardian stories, but thought this on the cycle to work scheme was interesting - although it appears most of the criticisms don't apply to the Bike Co-op, which I guess is one of the bigger partners here.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Cycle to Work ins and outs
(49 posts)-
Posted 14 years ago #
-
"although it appears most of the criticisms don't apply to the Bike Co-op, which I guess is one of the bigger partners here."
Well they are big enough (like Evans) to be able to do what Cyclescheme does and therefore not 'lose' 10% - obviously they will have some costs involved in doing this.
Most small bike shops don't have have staff/time to do the paperwork - it's more than just a simple bit of form filling.
The advantage for employees of organisations using the Cyclescheme company to buy bikes under the Government's Cycle to Work is that they get a choice of bike shops (most small shops use Cyclescheme).
Some employers find it 'easier' to deal with EBC, Evans or Halfords - which won't suit all staff.
However unless Helen Pidd (Guardian writer) earns a lot of money the saving to her will not be close to 50%.
When the scheme was first introduced much was made of "save up to 50%" - which was really only true if people paid tax at a high rate.
The actual saving also depends on what price the employer sells at the end of the "salary sacrifice" period (commonly 12 months). Most seem to ask 5 or 10% - though for tax purposes it's supposed to be 'market value'.
Whether bike shops should grumble about giving away 10% (which is obviously a much higher percent of the profit) depends on various things - mostly whether they actually make more money through extra bike sales.
The scheme has undoubtedly persuaded more people to buy new bikes - and they tend to buy more expensive ones as they have the convenience of interest free payments over a year or so (plus something of a discount).
Posted 14 years ago # -
Still waiting for Glasgow City to let me know if they are involved in the scheme.
They may be busy with other schemes.
Posted 14 years ago # -
City of Ed brought the bike scheme forward to coincide with EBC sale. Result
Posted 14 years ago # -
"City of Ed brought the bike scheme forward to coincide with EBC sale."
That was kind - wonder if EBC was quite so happy.
How long was the queue?
Posted 14 years ago # -
I got my bike through the cycle scheme, My company used the National scheme instead of one retailer because we have a couple of offices in the UK, we were going to use Halfords but it was talked down. Part of me would have preferred the Co-op, would have been cheaper, but also i think its a good way for the smaller shops to drive up some business especially since they retail the bikes at full price so its probably easier for them to make up there >10%.
I've got £750 worth of bike and lid for about £30 a month after some jiggling with other benefits. Although i'm reserving final judgment on good value until I get my final bill in month or two.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I just want to be able to use the scheme to buy one of the Circe Helios tandems, but that's clearly not going to happen.
Posted 14 years ago # -
chdot - in a bizarre twist there was no queue as I went up the night before about 6pm and as special further perk for CEC employees they let me buy early.
I expect the sale was horrendous. I only participate on-line in their sales. I was back on Tuesday with my dead Nexus 8 and staff looked a little dazed.
SRD - the revenue and customs condition is that the bike is your principal means of getting to work, not sure how many people using the scheme comply with this condition?
Posted 14 years ago # -
hello, my name is f. and gembo is my dad ( he thinks its funny that i call this chat site bike msn) I like cycling and i passed my bike test in primary 6.But i am looking for a new bike, any ideas? So this is all about cycling to work and back, dad was sad because his office moved and now he only gets a 5 mile cycle to work instead of a 10 mile cycle.
Posted 14 years ago # -
gembo (cross post, I mean the first one above) - that's not quite true, the condition is that the principle *use of the bike* is as part of a journey to work. So it's quite OK to get a bike and never use it to go to work at all (so long as you don't use it for anything else either).
My last employer set up through Cyclescheme which is how I ended up with the lowracer. I know quite a few places were up-front about charging me £100 more if I went through Cyclescheme, although David didn't.
I have to say I'm not convinced David made much money from me at all (I suspect that £100 is a much larger proportion of the profits than the 10% figure would lead you to believe!)
However, I wouldn't have been able to justify the cost of a recumbent without going through the scheme, and now there are both a prominent recumbent doing the rounds in central Edinburgh and the hope of any future purchases, so I guess this is a sort of longer-term investment.
Similarly places like the Bike co-op can probably count on a higher rate of maintainance jobs etc. in the long-term, even if they end up selling scheme bikes at close to cost price.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Hi F., I always think its like 'bike facebook', but also nice that you meet random people you wouldn't meet otherwise (well, on my facebook, i don't talk to people I don't know, which is generally a good idea). But also unlike facebook, you can have conversations.
I'm no expert on new bikes, but I guess the big question for me would be do you want to look 'sporty' or 'stylish'. (For my first grown-up bike that I bought myself, I really wanted a 10 speed with curly handlebars, but that is now rather passe.) I bought my current bike 2 years ago, and basically got the cheapest, decent-quality bike that did what I wanted, but I do wish I had known how many different bikes there are out there, and I would have gone for something (a) lighter and (b) more stylish (ie traditional) looking, but then again, as you'll see if you read any of the postings on here, those two aren't always compatible.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Hey everyone, I was wrong! (it does happen, sometimes). Thanks to chdot and laidback nudging me a little, I took another look at the UofE's webpages (usefully linked to on the forum), and they have totally changed the scheme. So, any of you other Uni types out there, do take a look here and you'll see that my previous gripe about timing is no longer relevant AND they now include a lot more dealers (but now the bike coop is _not_ included).
Posted 14 years ago # -
Hi F.,
I hope you are a real person not Mr. Gembo's alter ego...
My daughter is called F. so I know what a special name it is (but I'm sure there have been times when she wishes she had been called something more 'ordinary')
I'm glad you like cycling. (most people your age do). It is quite likely that will lose interest at secondary school - unless most of your friends cycle too. (I'm sure you've seen some of the posts here -
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=78 )
Cycling less in teenage years is 'normal', the important thing is to start again/keep doing it when you leave school.
Quite a few people on this forum are adults who have had a long break from cycling and are coming to terms with how much fun it is - and how it could be so much better if the 'infrastructure' was better (and some drivers behaved better). So perhaps you will become a 'campaigner' too.
I hope you get a new bike soon (new to you at least). I always say "Edinburgh is fortunate to have a range of shops. Try a few, ask for advice, choose one you feel comfortable with."
Have a look at http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15 (nice cartoon).
Posted 14 years ago # -
RIGHT!
This is news to me too.
"Please note:
From February 2010, the University will be operating Bicycles+, our cycle to work scheme, through Cyclescheme.
By operating through Cyclescheme, employees are now able to select a bike and equipment from any one of over 1000 participating independent bike shops in the UK. Within Edinburgh the following bike shops participate: "
I wonder if all Edinburgh's universities have changed too.
I know when they first got together to run the Bike to Work scheme they asked bike shops to 'bid' most weren't big enough. I can't remember if Cyclescheme was asked too.
I assume UofE has had feedback from staff wanting to use their 'favourite' shop.
As I always say "Edinburgh is fortunate to have a range of shops. Try a few, ask for advice, choose one you feel comfortable with."
This is Edinburgh.Posted 14 years ago # -
Posted 14 years ago #
-
We could have a competition to see who can build it fastest :)
Posted 14 years ago # -
chdot, I went into EBC on Saturday morning at about quarter to twelve, having some idea of what I wanted to try before committing to buy. The queue downstairs went all the way up the stairs. I was entertained for a while by the bickering couple in front of me but my amusement soon wore off. I can't remember what time I finally got my testride on a Specialized vita Sport - our recumbent friend might know because I passed him demonstrating a 'bent to a woman at the bottom of Middle Meadow Walk. I took the bike for a spin through the links and around the Meadows which didn't take long, took it back to the shop, then had to queue again for the next bit. Sorted out some of the paperwork, then had to queue upstairs for someone to help me sort out a rack, mudguards and a different saddle, then had to do a bit more paperwork, then had to get my ID back from the safe tin. I left the shop just after 2pm. So, more than 2 hours.
A friend of mine went in about 3pm and was out again 10 minutes later, but his shopping was basically seeing which bikes would take his little boy's kiddy seat.
EBC staff were heard to remark on the consequences of combining the start of the bike to work scheme with a 15% off sale - I'm sure one of them said they'd be selling 300 bikes on Saturday, but they were run ragged in the process.
In the end I went for the Specialized Vita Elite.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I sent the Uni transport folk an email saying how happy I was that they had responded to our complaints about the previous scheme, and received this back:
Hi S
Thanks so much for your positive feedback - it's rare we get any - usually just moans and gripes!
I hope you manage to find yourself the perfect bike.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Kirst "I can't remember what time I finally got my testride on a Specialized vita Sport - our recumbent friend might know because I passed him demonstrating a 'bent to a woman at the bottom of Middle Meadow Walk."
Was my wife and she actively hated the trike at the start. She has a shoulder injury through falling off her bike last year. I thought the underseat trike might be answer as other people seem to like them. After 10 minutes she realised that it wasn't too dangerous.
Sorry - dodn't realise it was you. Must have been about 2pmSRD Cyclescheme Yes LB can do via Tri-centre. Bascially bikes that no other dealer in Edinburgh or beyond has. I've had CS customers from as far away as Manchester.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Kirst - yeah that was why I went in on the Thurs night before it started. Felt quite smug but then the mechanic phoned to say my nexus was dead and £200 to make it go. Any advice on converting Specialized Crossroads to single speed for less than £50 much appreciated (it is so very heavy but would still work on canalpath and chewed up bit of backroad out of Heriot Watt.
SRD - wise words to F. on the perils of facebook. I have been to inservice on the risks of putting any info about yourself on internet because of risk from paedophiles. The training is very scary, not sure if it matches the reality. However in principle even if you are cautious you only have to have a link to a more blabby pal and the whole world knows your name. Had I been in the room instead of making the breakfast I would have swithererd even about our wee group of diehards. That is how traumatised I have been by the inservice training..
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Had I been in the room"
Suspected so...
Previous posts edit for paranoia (mine too).
Posted 14 years ago # -
I am catching up after a holiday away from tinterwebs so forgive me for not reading the entire set of posts
My work do cycle to work scheme with Halfords but the vouchers were also accepted at the place in Stockbridge (the name escapes me right now) so I ordered one on a lunch break walk from work, it has done over 1200 miles now and I am on target for it to have cost me around 25p per mile within the year of owning it
There were additional voucehrs for free safety equipment but they were only available at halfords so I sold my soul and bought mud guards and a pannier rack there...
Everything else since then has been at the wee Freewheelin shop on Slateford spending my money as locally as possible supporting local business and also as I know one of the guys working there I get a good chat while he fixes my brakes for me
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Everything else since then has been at the wee Freewheelin shop on Slateford spending my money as locally as possible supporting local business and also as I know one of the guys working there I get a good chat while he fixes my brakes for me"
Yeah bikes is definitely a 'personal attention' business.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I stupidly applied for a bike through this a few weeks ago and "two to three weeks" promised on my employers website suddenly became "three to four" when I actually made the application. Well it's been over three so far and still no sign whatsoever of getting my voucher. Really cheesed off now. Am trying to see if I can cancel it now and just buy the bike. Wish I had done to begin with.
Stupid cyclescheme.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I flirted with the idea of buying another bike in my bike to work and getting a semi-decent MTB for potholes and cobbles... maybe some Pentlands...
Need to keep the cash instead thoughPosted 14 years ago # -
From Twitter
"
on_lothianbusesCommuting every day? Did you know you can SAVE WITH A RIDACARD? Find out more: http://bit.ly/9AdK7V
"
- "Adult £42 (this equates to: £504 per year)"
Posted 14 years ago # -
more than I paid for a bike
and it is less than 100 miles away from costing 25p per milePosted 14 years ago # -
Well I have cancelled the scheme and will just buy my bike myself. My employer failed to actually pay for the bike which is why I never got the voucher, however they managed to be efficient enough to take the money from my salary. I really ought to have known better.
Posted 14 years ago # -
CycleScheme (the company) has devised a scheme for dealing with the new HMRC rules.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Great so now cyclescheme own my bike. Typical any government effectively kill something which actually benefits people but was initiated by a previous administration.
Posted 13 years ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
posts
