The Cycle to Work scheme is a UK government initiative that encourages employees to cycle to work by offering tax-efficient bicycle purchase schemes. Through the scheme, employees can purchase a bike and cycling accessories through salary sacrifice, spreading the cost over an agreed period. This allows employees to save money on the bike's retail price and enjoy the health and environmental benefits of cycling.

Cycle Schemes are employee benefits that are operated as a salary sacrifice, meaning you agree to give up some of your gross salary (before tax) in exchange for a benefit e.g. a new bike and accessories. By having a salary sacrifice, you’re reducing the amount of income you pay, tax and National Insurance, which is where the savings are made.

The amount you can save is dependent on your tax bracket. The latest tax rates can be seen on the Government website. 20% taxpayers can save 28%, 40% taxpayers can save 42%, and 45% taxpayers can save 47%.

Use our Calculator Saving option above to work out exactly how much you will pay monthly and how big your savings are!

Employers are not legally obliged to offer the Cycle to Work scheme to their employees. However, many employers choose to participate in the scheme as it offers benefits such as promoting health and well-being, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting a greener commute. Employers who decide to implement the scheme can seek assistance from scheme providers to streamline the process.

In short, no you don't, the government guidelines state that you should aim to use your bike and accessories for commuting for at least 50% of its usage. You do not have to log your bike’s mileage and we thoroughly encourage you to use your bike in your spare time!

Every employer has a different application window. You may have seen this advertised around your workplace or via email. If you are unsure when your Cycle Scheme opens and closes, please contact your HR department.

This can be different for every employer. You may have seen this advertised around your workplace or via email. Please contact your HR Department if you do not know what your scheme’s maximum limit is.

We recommend finding your perfect bike and/or accessories before applying, so you know exactly what amount to apply for.

If the bike and/or accessories you’re choosing are on sale you’ll need to factor this in too. For example, if the bike you would like to choose is normally £1000 but has 25% off during a sale at North Sports, you would only apply for £750.

This way you won’t apply for too much or too little – this is really important to get right because you can’t amend your application once you’ve been approved.

As long as you don’t exceed your employee’s limit, you can technically apply more than once – providing the deductions from your payslip don't take you below the National Minimum/Living Wage. However, depending on your employer, it’s not always possible to make a second application, so you must always check with your HR Department first.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’re unable to amend it. In some cases, you may cancel your application and reapply for your new amount. However, this isn’t always possible, so we advise you ask your employer for their cancellation terms and conditions.

You do not have to spend the full value of your eCertificate but this is not advised as your overall package price and monthly Hire Agreement costs will not be reduced if you underspend. 

Cyclescheme recommends that all participants redeem the full value of their eCertificates at the point of redemption, as it's essentially a 'use it or lose it' scenario. 

1. Discover which scheme your employer has joined, or encourage them to join. We accept a wide range of cycle to work scheme vouchers.
2. Shop our large selection of e-bikes and accessories from the best brands and decide which you desire. Note the overall cost.
3. Request your eCertificate for the total price needed. Submit your certificate to your employer and North Sports by emailing our team and we will complete your order. Email: cycle2work@northsports.co.uk

You're able to access your Certificate and Redemption Code once your request has been approved and funding has been agreed by your employer.

You will be granted access to your Certificate one of two ways:

1. Where your Certificate is available directly via an email, at the appropriate time you'll receive an email from Cyclescheme; or
2. Via our Sign and Collect (SaC) process which Cyclescheme will email you regarding.

This is a common question and there's a simple answer and a technical answer...

Simple answer:

• No, you do not have to commute by bike daily. 

Technical answer:

• You should use the bike and/or accessories mainly for commuting to and, if relevant, between workplaces.
• At least 50% of the bike and/or accessories use should be for work purposes. For example, if you used the bike 10 times in a year, at least 5 of those journeys must be work-related. 
• The bike and accessories can also be used for non-work purposes.

Firstly, if your bike has been stolen we want to extend our sympathetic condolences to you. Bike theft, and burglary in general, is a blight on society and we're very sorry if you're in the midst of the trauma it can cause. 

Because the theft of a cycle to work scheme bike often involves commitments to other parties (such as your employer) there is a strict process that must be followed, Cyclescheme and other cycle schemes widely communicate the importance of insuring the bike and Cyclescheme has partnered with award-winning Bikmo where you can obtain exclusive pricing on your insurance.

If your bike is stolen or damaged beyond repair, as long as you replace the bike and continue to use it mainly for commuting purposes, the employer can continue to take the salary sacrifice reductions from gross salary. This means that you can still take advantage of the Income Tax and National Insurance Contribution (NIC) savings.

If the bike is stolen before it has been paid for, and it is not replaced, this, unfortunately, constitutes the end of your Hire Agreement and any outstanding salary sacrifice repayments will be taken from your net pay. This means that you cannot take advantage of the Income Tax and National Insurance Contribution (NIC) savings. 

The general rule of thumb is that you can sell your ex-cycle-to-work bike if you have completed your chosen ownership option.

Please note, you cannot sell your cycle to work scheme bike if:

• You are in the initial Hire Period, or
• If you are in an active Own it later agreement, or
• You have not completed a transfer of ownership with Cyclescheme or your employer.

However, you should be fine to sell your ex-cycle-to-work scheme bike if:

• You have completed your Hire Period and completed either an Own it now or Own it later agreement, or
• If you have completed a transfer of ownership with Cyclescheme or your employer.

Although for the majority of the time you may not technically own the bike, it is for all intents and purposes yours to use and very much in your care, as a result, it is your responsibility to maintain the bike.

You can get any adult bike type, and we are proud to offer leading brands in the UK market - including over 100 electric bikes! There is also a huge range of cycle safety accessories available for you to choose from, including:

• Cycle helmets
• Reflectors and lights
• Bike locks and chains
• Mudguards and mirrors
• Bags, baskets, phone holders, panniers and pannier racks
• Cycle clothing, shoes, cycle clips and dress guards
• Hydration packs, water bottles and holders
• Bells and bulb horns
• Child safety seats and trailers
• Pumps, puncture repair kits, tyre sealant and cycle tools
• Bike lube and cleaning equipment
• Tyres, inner tubes & wheels
• Pedals, saddles, drivetrain & brakes
• Battery packs and chargers for electric bikes
• Adaptions for disability/mobility issues
• For a definitive list of what accessories are eligible, please read the HMRC guidance here. Please note scooters are NOT permitted on the scheme

Of course! You may want to get a whole new upgrade, or a second bicycle for a different season or terrain. Just want accessories? Using the Cycle Schemes for accessories only is a very popular option for employees who already own a bicycle and just want to upgrade the rest of their equipment!