Cycle2Work, Safety Equipment

[fatblokish]

Received a reply from HM Revenue advising that there is no requirement for the "safety equipment" to be bought at the same time as the bike. Methinks that therefore I can, for example, buy a pair of new tyres under the scheme for my winter bike. Or should I state, lease a pair of tyres.

But what else? The guidance I have seen all relates to safety equipment which is not normally included on a new bike, so stuff like brakes, chains etc is not stated.

I need a whole host of stuff to keep the winter bike up to scratch; the tyres above were just for starters.

So how fully can I maintain my bikes under the scheme? I would presume that paying for Keira Knightly to oil my bearings might be pushing it a bit, but a new chain, spokes, rear rim, tyres, blocks, cassette etc all take a hammering.

 

[HF2300]

From the DfT website:

"Eligible equipment includes cycles and cyclists' safety equipment. The tax exemption defines a "cycle" as 'a bicycle, a tricycle, or a cycle having four or more wheels, not being in any case a motor vehicle' (192(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c.52)). An electrically assisted pedal cycle can be included under the scheme.

Cyclists' safety equipment is not similarly defined in the legislation and a common sense approach should be taken to the equipment provided. This could include:

• Cycle helmets which conform to European standard EN 1078
• 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 and chains to ensure cycle can be safely secured
• Pumps, puncture repair kits, cycle tool kits and tyre sealant to allow for minor repairs
• Reflective clothing along with white front reflectors and spoke reflectors

It is the employer's choice what safety equipment is offered, but you may wish to confirm with your local tax inspector whether the equipment you provide falls within the tax exemption."

Spare parts? Probably not really safety equipment. The original exemption allows loan of equipment tax free, and you can't really loan consumable parts, so I'll bet if it got to an investigation it wouldn't be allowed. Real world, it's probably up to the employer, as I don't imagine HMRC would investigate a £10 spare part.

 

[iwf]

Just get the shop to write the quote for a bike and safety kit, then instead of safety kit get what ever you like. My LBS did a deal where I bought gloves shoes, spare bits everything. The LBS don't really care what you spend the dosh on

The key thing is for the quote to simply say bike.

 

[redjedi]

Do you need to get a quote?

I just worked out how much I wanted to spend on the bike and accessories, and requested a voucher for that amount.

I don't think the form I filled in asked for any more details than the cost of the bike, accessories and helmet.

I think I put £350 for the bike, £50 for helmet and £100 accessories.

I actually only spent £30 on the helmet and my accessories inc mudguards, lights, computer, locks, and some new clothes.

Evans just treat the voucher as cash, although other/newer schemes may be different.

 

[Wigsie]

I think the quote is more for your work, as they are the ones that pay initially and they need to be able to put the cost against something.

I did it all online in 3 days, so would have been too soon to send quotes through to c2w people. Bike was £720 but shop quoted £1000 so i could buy pumps, shoes pedals etc didnt actually get any safety equipment.

 

[fatblokish]

Surely a replacement set of brakes is classed as safety equipment under the scheme?

 

[fossyant]

I'm off for a quote my local LBS - just speccing up my Fixie, and if there will be enough left for some Ay-ups - looks like I'll be going for the full £1000, as the bike is getting rather close to that....

If your LBS isn't too bothered, then I can't see why you couldn't get away with some stuff extra, but are you actually getting a bike ? If not then just getting bits will be dodgy - a bike and 'associated spares - even for another bike, should be do-able.

 

[Downward]

Surely and LBS will give you a credit note for say £100 if you they put on the quote £100 Helmet or something.

 

[Soltydog]

Our scheme was run through Cycle Solutions & Wheelies. They did insist on bikes & safety equipment on the original order, but one of the items I ordered was out of stock, so I had a credit in my account. When I asked if it was restricted to specific equipment I was told I could use it on whatever I wanted, so ordered a new saddle It couldn't be a more expensive item though, even though i was willing to pay the difference, because you will own part & your employer will own part