Bike
to Work
Edinburgh
Napier has partnered with Cyclescheme.co.uk
to offer this employee benefit that saves you
on the cost of a bike or accessories.
Employees pay nothing upfront, and the repayments are taken tax
efficiently from your salary over a 12 month period.
How does the scheme work?
The University
pays for the full cost of the bike and any safety equipment. You then pay
this back by way of a salary sacrifice arrangement under a Hire
Agreement between you and the University. This means that you agree
to sacrifice an amount from your salary each month in return for the
benefit of a bike and safety equipment.
Savings are made because salary sacrifice reduces your gross pay. This, in
turn, reduces the amount of Income Tax and National Insurance that
you pay each month. Savings are dependent on your personal tax code but
will can be between 26-40% over the hire period.
Who is eligible to join the scheme?
The
scheme is open to all staff employed on contracted hours, whose contracts run
for at least the length of the agreement (12 months) and who do not drop below
the Real Living Wage once the loan repayment has been deducted. If
you are unsure if you are eligible, please contact payroll@napier.ac.uk
The
bike must be used mainly for qualifying journeys, to and from your place of
work. At least 50% of the time it is in
use. The qualifying journey can be whole or part, for example to the
train station or between offices.
How do I get my bike?
Step 1.
Check what you can save and find
your local partner store online at www.cyclescheme.co.uk/999de5.
You will then need to visit your chosen store to select your bike and equipment
and receive a written quote.
Step 2.
Apply for your Cyclescheme
Certificate www.cyclescheme.co.uk/999de5 ,
entering the details from your quote form and sign the agreement.
Step 3.
The University then approves your
application, countersigns the Hire Agreement, and pays Cyclescheme
the full retail price of the bike and equipment. This process can take up
to 4 weeks.
Step 4.
Cyclescheme will then send you your
Certificate.
Step 5.
The Certificate is then redeemed in the
bike shop and exchanged for the bike package.
Step 6.
At the end of the hire period,
Cyclescheme will contact you to discuss your end of hire options. The most
attractive option is to pay either 3% (if your bike package was under £500) or
7% (if your bike package was over £500) of the original cost to enter into a 3
year extended agreement with Cyclescheme. During this agreement you will not be
expected to make any further payment and ownership of the bike will transfer to
you at the end. You may change employers during the agreement or use the scheme
again if you wish.
Please contact Cyclescheme helpdesk on
0344 879 5101, info@cyclescheme.co.uk for
more information, visit http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/employers/employer-faqs#/getting-a-bike/faqs/what-happens-at-the-end-of-the-hire-period for
more information about end of hire options, or link to Cyclescheme’s website
end of hire video http://vimeo.com/26711889.
Important points to consider
There are a number of important points staffs should consider before
deciding to take part in the Bike to Work scheme – you can review How it works here or you can contact Cyclescheme helpdesk on 03448 795101, info@cyclescheme.co.uk for more information.
Most employees will benefit from the Cycle to Work scheme but in some circumstances,
it may not be advantageous to join.
Benefit payments
There may be an impact on your entitlement to benefit payments such as
statutory maternity or paternity pay, statutory sick pay and working tax credit,
as they will be calculated on your reduced pay.
State pension
There may also be an impact on your state pension. We advise you to
seriously consider the effect that a reduction in pay may have before you
decide to join the scheme.
Financial advice
If you are unsure about whether or not, you should participate in the
Cycle to Work scheme you should seek your own financial advice.
Further advice
If you are unsure about whether or not you should participate in the
Cycle to Work scheme, you should seek your own financial advice.
Ownership
The bike and equipment will remain the property of Edinburgh Napier
University until the end of the 12 month hire period. Therefore:
• you bear the entire risk of loss, theft, damage or destruction of the
bike and equipment. If at any time during the hire agreement the equipment is
lost, stolen or damaged to the point of no longer being usable for commuting,
you will still be responsible for making any remaining payments. You are
strongly advised to obtain insurance, which may be included in your home
contents insurance.
• you must not hire out, profit from, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose
of the bike and equipment.
• you must not make alterations to the bike or take it out of the UK
during the hire period.
• as Bike to Work is a hire agreement you do not have legal title of
ownership on the equipment.
• if you cease employment with the University before the end of the hire
period, the outstanding balance will be deducted from your last net salary
payment. This will mean that you lose any tax and National Insurance saving on
any outstanding balance.
Frequently
Asked Questions
(for further FAQs please go to http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/employers/employer-faqs)
What
is the maximum I can spend?
The limit set for employees is £3000.
Can
I get equipment-only through the scheme?
Yes, you may request equipment-only through the scheme but only if you do not
have an existing salary sacrifice in place for a bike. Useful if you have
already got a bike!
What
equipment can I get?
Lights, including dynamo packs; locks and chains; mirrors and mud guards;
helmets; reflective and high-visibility clothing and accessories; pumps,
puncture repair kits and cycle tool kits. This list is by no means exhaustive,
if in doubt please contact Cyclescheme. Component bike parts are
not allowed through the scheme.
Who
is responsible for maintaining the bike and what happens if it is stolen?
It is your responsibility to maintain the bike. Cyclescheme Partner Shops will
be able to advise about maintenance and servicing depending on how the bike is
used and stores offer a free first service, usually after 6 weeks. If the bike
is stolen, as long as you replace the bike and continue to use it mainly for
commuting purposes, the salary sacrifice reductions can continue as normal.
Cyclescheme strongly recommend that you insure the bicycle and safety
equipment as soon as it is collected from the store.
Does
the bike have to be used for commuting?
You 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 you to
keep a mileage log, as long as the main use is qualifying journeys to and from
work.
What
happens if I leave my job during the hire period?
Once signed, the Hire Agreement is non-cancellable following a cooling-off
period of 7 working days following collection of the goods. This means that if
you leave during the hire period you are obliged to pay the remaining salary
sacrifice amount in full from net pay i.e. without any tax exemptions. You will
be contacted by Cyclescheme regarding your end of hire options as normal.