Cycle to Work...Keep fit and save.
A new bike...or just accessories?Bike and accessories or accessories only schemes.
You choose...Use the supplier of your choice.
Cycle to Work
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Benefits to Employer
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Financial savings on Employer’s National Insurance Contributions
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Improves company’s green and environmental credentials
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Supports the Green Travel Plan which companies may be required to operate
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Leads to a healthier workforce - reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity
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Reduces workplace parking problems
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Reduces traffic congestion and pollution levels
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Helps recruit, retain and motivate your people
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The scheme is self-financing
Benefits to Employee
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Save money on bikes and accessories - save up to 47% off the retail price
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Get the bike and accessories of your choice
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Spread the cost over 12 or 18 months
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Use supplier of your choice – online or in store
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Free delivery to your door or collect from local store
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No minimum value (maximum value £1000)
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Access to specialised cycle insurance
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Improve health and fitness levels
Savings Illustration
Basic Rate Tax Payer |
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Cost of Bike: £1000
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Cost to Employee: £680
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| Net Saving: £320 |
Higher Rate Tax Payer |
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Cost of Bike: £1000
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Cost to Employee: £580
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| Net Saving: £420 |
What is Salary Exchange?Printable Version
What our clients say...
FAQ's...and Answers
When can I join the Scheme?
You can join the Scheme at any time throughout the year (unless your employer has specific registration windows).
What Cycles are available through the Gemelli Cycle to Work Scheme?
You may choose your bike and safety accessories from various suppliers including: www.evanscycles.com, www.halfords.com, https://www.cyclerepublic.com or your local cycle store – if you have another preferred supplier please call Gemelli on 01280 851113 to confirm availability.
What safety accessories can be included in the Scheme?
- Cycle helmets which conform to European standard EN 1078
- Reflective and Hi-Vis clothing
- Bells and bulb horns
- 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
- Locks, pumps, puncture repair kits, child seats
What is the maximum value of equipment I can obtain through the scheme?
The Office of Fair Trading has issued a Group Consumer Credit License allowing any employer to run a Cycle to Work scheme. This allows you to hire a cycle and safety equipment up to a value of £1,000 inclusive of VAT.
What happens at the end of the Hire Period?
There is no automatic entitlement for you to take ownership of the cycle and safety accessories at the end of the hire period. However, your employer may give you the option to purchase the equipment or extend the hire period – see the Gemelli End of Scheme Options.
How will a Salary Exchange Scheme affect my pension?
With a company pension your salary and the value of any salary exchange benefits may be considered as pensionable earnings.
Will Salary Exchange for the Cycle Scheme affect my Tax Credits?
Most people benefit but, if you are lower paid and claiming benefits or tax credits, before signing up for this scheme you should contact the HM Revenue and Customs for advice - Telephone 0845 300 3900, to check how using Cycle to Work could affect your situation.
Can I add my own money and get a more expensive bike?
No. To be eligible for the tax break, the cycle must remain the sole property of the employer for the duration of the hire period. For that reason the scheme must cover the full cost of your selection (cycle and accessories) and you cannot add your own funds to the transaction.
Who owns the cycle and accessories?
The legislation that governs a cycle to work scheme states that the Employer must own the equipment. There can be no automatic right for the Employee to own the equipment at the end of the Agreement. If they do, they cannot claim the tax exemption. Therefore a cycle to work scheme operates as a loan: the Employer is technically loaning the equipment to the Employee for a fixed-period of time. Although Employees do not actually own the equipment, they remain custodian of the equipment and are free to use it as they wish, providing it is mainly for cycling to work.
What happens if the cycle is damaged or stolen?
It is recommended you check your cycle is covered under your home contents insurance policy or you may wish to obtain separate insurance. If your home contents insurer covers the cycle, you must inform them that your Employer owns the cycle. Payments will not stop or be suspended due to loss or damage to the cycle. See our Cycle Insurance Scheme - a perfect partner to the Cycle to Work Scheme.
What happens if I do not use the cycle for travelling to work after I have joined the scheme?
You will no longer qualify for the tax relief and in such circumstances your payroll department will arrange for the remaining salary reductions to be taken from your net pay i.e. after tax and National Insurance have been deducted.
What happens if I leave employment?
If you leave before the end of the hire period, you must pay the balance of the amount outstanding and this will be deducted from your final net pay. You may then have continued use of the equipment without further payment until the hire period expires, when you may be offered the opportunity to purchase the equipment for its then market value. However this transfer of ownership is the subject of a separate agreement.
How often do I need to use the bike to cycle to work?
Employees should use the bike mainly for commuting to and, if relevant, between work places (at least 50% of the bike’s use should be for work purposes). However, the bike can also be used for non-work purposes and there is no need for employers to monitor individual usage or for employees to keep mileage log. Please note that employees cannot claim business mileage allowance with a bike being hired to them by their employer.
Is there a minimum spend required?
Yes, if you are submitting a safety-accessories-only request there is a minimum of £100 spend.
I already have a Hire Agreement in place, can I get another bike or safety accessories only?
Unfortunately if you are part-way through your initial Hire Period, you are unable to place another request until the current one has ended. If you are in an ’Extended Use Agreement’ you are able to request another bike or safety accessories.
What bike can I obtain?
A bike obtained through a Cycle to Work Scheme must be suitable for commuting - Road, Hybrid, Mountain, Folding and Commuting bikes are all allowed.
Can I use the bike for leisure as well as commuting?
Yes, the bike can be used for leisure purposes too.
What happens if I am off work?
If you are off work due to maternity, sick leave, etc. you may continue the salary exchange deductions. The exceptions to this are if the deductions take you below the National Minimum Wage or if you stop receiving salary and as a result do not have any earnings from which the salary exchange can be deducted. If deductions cannot be made your employer will suspend payments until you are earning again.
Our Videos...
Our short video on Cycle to Work presents how the scheme operates and an illustration of the savings on offer.
