Your Questions Answered

Have a browse at our most frequently asked questions and video. If you can’t find the answer you are looking for, visit our Help & Support page to get in touch.

For Employees

End of scheme process

The tax benefits available through the Government’s Cycle to Work Scheme are provided on the basis that employees are hiring the equipment from their employer and making tax savings by paying the cost out of their gross pay, via salary sacrifice.
With Evans Cycles Ride-to-Work, you will have already signed into the hire agreement with us from day one, so there’s nothing you need to do, except to see out the hire term with no further charges or deposits. When the Fair Market Value of the goods becomes negligible, we’ll transfer ownership to you for free.
You can, of course opt to buy the goods early or return the bike, if you wish.

How does the Cycle to Work scheme work?

The bike and equipment are leased to you by your employer who will deduct monthly ‘salary sacrifice’ amounts from your gross salary to cover the cost of the equipment.
Because the deductions are from gross salary it means you pay less tax and NI, saving you 32%-47% (depending on tax banding) on a bike of your choice and/or safety accessories
You can use the bike for either your full journey to/from work or part-journey, e.g. to/from the station. You can also use the bike for leisure cycling.
The cost is usually spread over 12 months.

What can I get through the Ride-to-Work scheme?

You can get any adult bike and a wide range of cycling equipment and clothing. You can select cycling equipment with a bike, or if you are already have a bike and are cycling to work you can choose to get equipment only, with all the same tax savings.
As a guide any it ems which help make you safer, keep your bike safe, or help with your commute can be included except for:

  • Computers, including GPS units
  • Training equipment, such as turbo trainers and energy food and drink
  • Workstands
  • Full-face Helmets

  • Please Note: Product available online from our Partner Program can only be included in our home delivery service and cannot be ordered in-store or be picked up using click and collect.

Can I choose cycling equipment only, without getting a bike?

Yes, if you are already cycling you can get cycling equipment without getting a bike. The equipment must still be within the guidelines above.

Can I order components to build a complete bike?

Yes you can but this needs to be done through an Evans Cycles store as all components to make up a complete roadworthy bike must be ordered at the same time. It is not possible to order frames and forks online.

Who is responsible for maintaining and insuring the bike?

It is your responsibility to maintain the bike, but we do offer a free bike check-up after 6 weeks and all our stores have a full workshop. We recommend that you insure the bike and offer a 15% discount on annual bike insurance cover through our partner cycleGuard via this link here.

What happens if I change my mind?

After signing the salary sacrifice agreement, you have a 14 day cooling off period if you change your mind. After that the salary sacrifice agreement with your employer cannot be cancelled.

If I don’t redeem my certificate, can I cancel and get a refund?

The Hire Agreement is covered by the Consumer Credit Act and such agreements cannot be cancelled after the 14 day cooling off period. When you sign the hire agreement, you are agreeing to make a salary sacrifice in exchange for hiring cycling equipment. It is important therefore that you use your Certificate to select the cycling equipment as part of the agreement with your employer.
You need to exchange the certificate for your selected equipment within 3 months from date of issue. Once your certificate has expired it cannot be re-issued or refunded.

What happens if I leave my employer?

If you leave your employer before you have completed the salary sacrifice term, any balance remaining must be repaid from your final net salary, i.e., without tax/NI savings. To take ownership of the bike a transfer of ownership process will also apply within the HMRC Fair Market Valuation guidelines. Your employer will be able to advise which transfer option would apply to you.

I am self-employed – can I join the Ride-to-Work scheme?

You can only join the scheme if you are paid via PAYE in order for the salary sacrifice deductions to be made.

Can I add my own funds to ‘top up’ the certificate value?

No. The Department for Transport has specified that the adding of own funds to the certificate value will no longer be permitted, so you should apply for a certificate value that covers all the goods you would like to get through the Ride-to-Work scheme.

Complaints about the Evans Cycles Ride-to-Work scheme

We always strive to provide an excellent experience but appreciate that sometimes things can go wrong.
If you have a complaint regarding any aspect of your participation in the Ride-to-Work Scheme operated by Evans Cycles on behalf of your employer, then please contact customer services.

How long will it take?

We take all complaints seriously and we will do everything we can to resolve them quickly.
We’ll keep you updated and in most cases you’ll receive our final response within 8 weeks from receipt of your complaint. If we’re unable to resolve your complaint within 8 weeks, we’ll explain the reason why and tell you when we expect to be able to resolve it.

What if I'm unhappy with the outcome?

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint or you haven’t received a response within 8 weeks of us receiving your complaint, then you have the right to refer the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
FOS is a free, independent service that looks into disputes between financial businesses and their customers. If you do refer to the FOS you should do so within 6 months of receiving our final response.
FOS Contact details: Telephone: 0800 023 4567 Email:complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk or you can write to: The Financial Ombudsman Service Exchange Tower, Harbour Exchange Square London, E14 9GE

For Employers

End of scheme process

The tax benefits available through the Government’s Cycle to Work Scheme are provided on the basis that employees are hiring the equipment from their employer and making tax savings by paying the cost out of their gross pay, via salary sacrifice.
With Evans Cycles Ride-to-Work, employees will have already signed into the hire agreement with us from day one, so there’s nothing they will need to do, except to see out the hire term with no further charges or deposits. When the Fair Market Value of the goods becomes negligible, we’ll transfer ownership to the employee for free.
Employees will be offered the opportunity to buy the goods early or return the bike, if they wish.

Does the employer need to apply for dispensation from HMRC to provide Ride-To-Work?

No. Evans Cycles provides all the necessary forms and agreements.

Does my organisation need credit authority to offer the scheme?

No. The employee signs the hire agreement with Evans Cycles meaning they make use of our FCA authorisation.

What are the rules regarding maternity leave?

If an employee goes on maternity leave during the salary sacrifice period and their salary falls below NMW the employer has the option to initiate a repayment holiday or to continue with payments. Employers would need to supply the employee with an amendment to the hire agreement for signature. The Office of Fair Trading rules state that if the hire agreement term runs over 18 months the employee has a right to cancel the contract and therefore employers need to keep this in mind when extending the term of the salary sacrifice. Employers are not liable to make the payments while the employee is on maternity leave.

I am self-employed – can I join the Ride-to-Work scheme?

You must be paid via PAYE to make the salary sacrifice.

Who is responsible for maintaining the bike?

It is the employee’s responsibility to maintain the bike. Evans Cycles offers a free bike check-up after 6 weeks and all stores operate a full workshop service.

What happens if an employee leaves before their salary sacrifice is completed?

If an employee leaves before completing their salary sacrifice term, any balance remaining should be repaid from the employee’s final net salary, i.e., without the tax/NI savings. This reflects the early termination clause contained within the Ride-to-Work hire agreement.

What is salary sacrifice?

When an employee applies to join the Ride-to-Work scheme you will approve their application and then set-up the salary sacrifice deductions through your own payroll system. Typically the first deduction begins from the next payroll following approval to join the scheme.
For example, on a salary sacrifice of £600 over 12 months, the deductions will be £600 / 12 (months) = £50. This is the amount the employee will see on their payslip. This is the gross amount before tax savings, and the true cost to the employee each month would be £33.50 if they are a basic rate tax payer or £28.50 for a higher rate tax payer.
Salary sacrifice is the process which enables employees to benefit from the tax savings, and for employers to recover the initial cost of purchasing the cycling equipment. The default salary sacrifice term is 12 months, but it can be from 6 months up to 72 months. Employers can set the salary sacrifice term from the control panel within the Ride-to-Work system.

Can employees still add their own funds to their certificate value?

No. The Department for Transport has specified that the adding of own funds to the certificate value will no longer be permitted, so it is important that you select a scheme limit that takes this into consideration.

End of Scheme Options

Managed by Evans – Recommended as the most flexible, hassle-free option!

You decide on a scheme limit between £1,000 and £15,000
You select a repayment term from 12 months to 72 months
Employees sign into a 72 month hire agreement directly with Evans Cycles at the point of application, meaning no more cumbersome hire extensions to sign and you have no additional admin after salary sacrifice completes.
Employees incur no additional deposit charges or ownership fees either.

Transfer4You – Recommended option for traditional scheme users retaining £1,000 cap.

Employees currently enrolled in the scheme will receive their end of scheme options email from Evans Cycles at the end of the salary sacrifice period and will be able to select from:

  • A free extended hire option directly with Evans Cycles
  • Pay the Fair Market Value and take ownership early
  • Return the bike to Evans Cycles

Benefit in Kind (P11D).

The employer may transfer ownership with the Fair Market Value reported on a P11D form, making the transfer a benefit in kind with tax payable on the valuation, rather than the full cost of the equipment.

Fair Market Value (FMV).

The employee may be given the option to purchase the equipment at the end of the salary sacrifice term with the value of the equipment calculated using the Fair Market Value table as below.
This option will considerably reduce the employee’s overall savings.

Company Option to Extend.

Administer your own extension of the hire agreement with the employee and charge the applicable FMV if the employee leaves your employment before the value of the bike is negligible.



Evans Cycles Limited is an Appointed Representative of Consumer Credit Compliance Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 631736. The permissions of Consumer Credit Compliance Limited as a Principal firm allow Evans Cycles Limited to undertake Consumer Hire activities. Evans Cycles Limited can be viewed on the FCA Register here, our FRN is 845262.