Cycle to work scheme

The Cycle to work scheme application period is open all year round.

Joining the scheme

The process is simple. You need to obtain a quotation from one of Cyclescheme's participating stores to enable you to complete the online application form found below. Once you have been approved to join the scheme a secure voucher will be sent to your home address for you to exchange for your bicycle. If you have any queries please contact Charmayne Jeffreys in Human Resources.

What is the Cycle to Work Scheme?

The University of Exeter has joined up with Cyclescheme for employees of the University to use cycles through a government scheme to encourage people to cycle to work, which saves you income tax and national insurance on the cost of the cycle, and spreads the cost over 12 months. Cyclescheme allows you to redeem a voucher at a large number of local cycle shops in Devon and Cornwall which participate in the scheme. The scheme operates under a 'salary exchange' arrangement which is approved by the government.  At the end of the 12 month period there is an option to take ownership of the bicycle or extend the hire period with Cyclescheme by another 31 months.  This process can be found on the Cyclescheme website (please note: The University has agreed to transfer ownership of equipment to Cyclescheme and so you need to follow the right hand side of the flow chart).  See the Maximise your savings flowchart on the cyclescheme website for more details.

The University of Exeter is participating in this scheme as part of its Sustainability Policy, to encourage staff to travel to work by 'green travel', and to improve the range of benefits which are open to our staff.

For more information, click on the links below:

Calculator showing how much you can save and the monthly deductions on your salary

Frequently Asked Questions

Participating shops

Order your Voucher from Cyclescheme

University of Exeter 'Rules'

1. The scheme is only eligible to employees on the University's main payroll. Individuals engaged on a claims basis (including Graduate Teaching Fellows) are not eligible. You can join the scheme as soon as you are on the payroll.
2. The maximum value of goods you can order under the scheme (for the cycle and equipment together) is £1000. For Employees on lower incomes, the University may set a lower limit to ensure that the effect of the Cyclescheme salary exchange arrangement (after the application of other salary exchange arrangements, eg Pension Salary Exchange) does not reduce their pay below the National Minimum Wage or the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance Contributions.
3. You will only be able to order equipment if you also order a cycle.
4. The salary exchange arrangement will run for a fixed period of 12 months.
5. The arrangement is subject to the standard Cyclescheme hire agreement.
6. The cycle remains the property of the University of Exeter during the 12 month period, after which the employee may choose to purchase it for a fair market value. Cyclescheme will notify the employee direct of this option at the end of the 12 month period.
7. By participating in this scheme, the employee is agreeing that, in the event that their employment ends for any reason during the 12 month period, then the University can recover the balance from their final monthly salary. Otherwise the employee will be required to repay the balance in full on demand from the University. Please note that the remaining balance will be deducted after the deductionof tax and National Insurance, ie that and that Salary Exchange tax and National Insurance savings will not apply.
8. For Employees on lower incomes, the University may provide a bike through an interest free loan rather than through salary exchange to ensure that the effect of the Cyclescheme arrangement (after the application of other salary exchange arrangements, eg Pension Salary Exchange) does not reduce their pay below the National Minimum Wage or the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance Contributions.
9. Employees who have less than 12 months to run on their current contract of employment (ie until the expiry of a fixed term contract or their contractual date of retirement) are eligible to participate on the understanding that the University can recover the balance from their final monthly salary or otherwise the employee will be required to repay the balance in full on demand from the University. Please note that the remaining balance will be deducted after the deductionof tax and National Insurance, ie that and that Salary Exchange tax and National Insurance savings will not apply. In addition, if the employee wishes to purchase the cycle on the termination of their employment, they will need to pay the fair market value as set by Cyclescheme.
10. Employees under the age of 18 wishing to enter the scheme will require an adult to act as their guarantor. Please complete the guarantor form if this is necessary.  
11. It is the employee's responsibility to insure the bicycle. If the bicycle is stolen, the employee will still be required to pay the sum of remaining payments on the hire period. Please note that the remaining balance will be deducted after the deduction tax and National Insurance, ie that and that Salary Exchange tax and National Insurance savings will not apply.

BikeMiles

A recent addition, Cyclescheme is proud to offer the UK's first national rewards network for cyclists, that gives you a range of exclusive offers, promotions and discounts, both deep rooted in the cycling world and for those times when you are off the bike too:

• earn one BikeMile for every mile you cycle (maximum 20 per day)
• easily track your journeys through MyCyclescheme and on the iPhone or Android apps
• earn promotions/discounts with the likes of Netflix, The Body Shop, Costa Coffee, Proviz, Nunn and Howies, with more to be added
• Offers available ranging from as little as 10 BikeMiles and upwards.

Free Cycle Training

Free cycle training is now available to all University staff. Training is provided by a fully Qualified National Standard Cycle Instructor and can be used to improve confidence or provide guidance on riding in and around Exeter. Whether it is getting on a bike for the first time or tackling particularly tricky sections of a journey, the training is tailor made to your needs and suitable for all levels of cyclist. For further information please contact Paul Mouland.

Unicycle

Unicycle is the University's bike user group for staff and students.  Join now by emailing j.jack@ex.ac.uk