How to join the cycle to work scheme

Tax is complicated; Cyclescheme is not. You choose a bike, hire it for an agreed length of time, then snap it up for a fraction of its original value. It's like a year-round sale, with interest-free credit available in over 2,000 retailers nationwide.

We’ve worked hard to provide a transparent and easy to understand process. There are just three steps to go through to get a bike for work through Cyclescheme.

1. Pick Your Package & Apply

Select a package that suits your needs.

Just a bike	A bike and accessories	Just accessories

Use our calculator to check how much you can save.

Once you have a budget in mind use our retailer finder to select a local store or online retailer to shop with. If you want, you can decide on your retailer after you've applied. If you're very price conscious check out our offers.

Remember, if you’re visiting a retailer they can give you expert one-to-one advice; if you shop online, do your research, check reviews and make sure you get your bike sizing correct. 

2. Get Your Gear

This couldn’t be easier. If your employer is signed up with Cyclescheme, they’ll have a unique employer code to use when you apply via cyclescheme.co.uk (our homepage gives you the option to click on 'I'm an employee', once you've done this you can enter your employer name or code and apply). If your employer isn’t signed up, they can join for free in just a few clicks. You can invite them to join the scheme or point them to our employer registration process.

When you 'Apply', you’ll be guided through a simple form that asks for your work details (inc. payroll number), contact information, and the value of the Cyclescheme Certificate you’re applying for. If you've agreed to get your bike and/or accessories from a specific retailer you'll be able to link your request to them, but you can also decide on the retailer you want to use after you've applied by ' Deciding later'.

Your employer will review your application and pay for your Cyclescheme package. We'll then send you an eCertificate which you can exchange for your gear in-store or online. 

3. Choose an ownership option

When your Hire Agreement and salary sacrifice ends, you can keep your Cyclescheme package by paying a small ownership fee. There are 3 options, the price of our recommended option 'Own it later' is built into all our marketing communications and calculators and should not come as a surprise.  

Own it later (recommended option)

For a Cyclescheme package under £500 (exc VAT), you'll pay 3% of the original value; for a package over £500 (exc VAT), it's 7% – so a maximum of £70 on a £1,000 package. The bike remains ‘hired’ for a further 36 months, but with no more monthly payments. Ownership can then officially be transferred to you at no extra cost.

This method of transferring ownership is why you save a minimum of 23% and a maximum of 39% (some may save more due to deals or offers). 

Own it now 

The 'Own it now' fee allows you to own the bike straight away, but it costs more. For a Cyclescheme package under £500 (exc VAT), you'll pay 18% of the original value; for a package over £500 (exc VAT), it's 25% – so a maximum of £250 on a £1,000 package. The bike is officially transferred to you at this point and there are no others costs.

There is little material benefit to choosing this option and we recommend that all Cycleschemers opt to keep their bikes by choosing the 'Own it later' fee. 

Return the bike

If for any reason you do not want the bike at the end of the Hire Period you can return it to Cyclescheme and incur no additional costs. 

If you're ready to apply and want a detailed breakdown of the application process view on answer ' How do I request a Certificate?'.

For a personalised savings figure that includes ownership fees, visit our calculator and enter your details. 

You can search to see if your workplace is signed up using the search box on Cyclescheme's homepage.