NewsArticleBody
Now if you can't quite part with your car you can always submit half way - especially when a full sized Bike Friday fits in a Miata!
With all the flutter about our impending fuel shortage it was about time someone made a bigger move than simply making one less car trip to the corner store each week (though imagine if everyone did that ...).
Well, I have to commend the British Government for taking this problem to heart - if a government has such an organ. Our erstwhile Bike Friday dealer in the UK sent this missive below describing how a Brit can get a TAX FREE BICYCLE for commuting to work! Tubular logic! Read on, be jealous, lobby your local congressman...
Apologies to all you non-UK residents on our mailing list but we have no way of filtering out UK residents. But maybe you will find the following interesting then want to lobby your own government to launch such a scheme!
Many of you will already be aware of the huge savings offered by Cyclescheme - a good overview is covered in the current A2B magazine for instance. A2B's feature announces that Cyclescheme is connected to Avon Valley Cyclery and www.foldingbikes.co.uk; it is through this connection that we are writing with our Cyclescheme hat on.
We hope you don't mind this exciting news but appreciate your concern if you do not wish to be contacted again. If you are not aware of this new company then it was established to allow people working for small and large businesses take advantage of obtaining a tax-free bike for commuting to work. The savings are HUGE!
At least 43% and up to 50% if you are a high tax payer. What's more, all the necessary cycling equipment (lights, locks, clothing) can be included in the scheme. And there is nothing stopping you using the bike for pleasure, as well! [Mixing business with pleasure ... can you translate that into English please?]
Essentially, you employer pays for the bike package and then deducts payment as a salary sacrifice from your wages before National Insurance and PAYE are deducted. The employer can reclaim any VAT (if they are registered) but do not have to pass it on to you.
Not only do you get 42%+ off the bike and goods, but also the payments are spread over 3 to 18 months as well.
Different employers will handle the scheme in different ways but Cyclescheme is here to provide information to smooth the way and get your tax-free bike with minimum hassle.
The most exciting part is also that there's no limit to the price of the bike or equipment. [A full Dura-Ace Pocket Rocket Pro like famous Brit bleater Phil Liggett's got, here I come!].
If you run your own limited company and fancy a New Series Moulton with Dura Ace components then you could save a whopping £2,500 on the purchase! Tantalising or what? [It was tantalizing up until that sentence. Replace that 'Moulton' with a Candy Apple Red Air Friday. We're not biased here, are we?]
The Cyclescheme website www.cyclescheme.co.uk has a good spread of general information and is showing many Frequently Asked Questions.
If you wish to speak to a Cyclescheme representative then please phone 01225 448933 for information or send an email to info@cyclescheme.co.uk. We look forward to helping you! Best wishes from the Cyclescheme Team.
SCREEEECH. Well that phone number isn't going to help if you're in the car-lovin' US of A, but maybe, just maybe, we can let everyone know about this and start a grass roots movement (assuming the grass can grow on 5 lanes of pavement). The consumption of fuel and raging against two sheeled machines must end! Now if I can just fly around Gaylynn's head here without being swatted off her narrow shoulder ...