After asking you lot for some advice last week about car allowances/company cars, I did lots of research and geeky speadsheets working out the true cost on my take home pay etc.

The stumbling block for me is that I will be a new driver, but I have to keep the car for 3 years – so whilst a Golf might be suitable for me as a new driver, I couldn’t help but feel I’d be wishing I’d taken the BMW after a year. I don’t actually need a car for work at all, it’s just a perk.

So I’ve decided to take the car allowance instead for the moment.

However, after passing on this info to the HR department of my new employer, I said that I would probably cycle to work as much as possible since it’s only 10 miles and has a proper cycle path the whole way with some scenic stuff along the route.

I was then told that the company will pay my mileage from home to work even if I cycle! That’s awesome! What an incentive to get on the bike. It’s not a huge amount, and it will be taxable, but when you add it up over the year it will easily buy me a new bike or pay for a holiday.

Do other employers do this? It’s probably the best corporate incentive I’ve ever seen to get people to cycle to work. I know I’d still get the same mileage claim if I was in the car, but that’s to cover fuel, wear, maintenance and depreciation etc – but the running costs of my bikes is practically nil (other than my own desire to buy new shiny stuff whenever I can). So it’s just money in the bank for every mile I cycle. 🙂

Not here.

Managed to get a shower installed after 3 years hassling.

Have to keep bike in office as no allowance made in grounds.

And this in a company where 3 people drive in and 20 cycle (out of 50).

Who do you work for ?

is your new job with a large road sign based red and blue oil company …. if so i need to apply for a new job ….

ive heard similar stories from others working for them . as well as fresh towels being suppled for showering when you get to the office ….

You get mileage allowance just for coming to work?

Damn.

is your new job with a large road sign based red and blue oil company …. if so i need to apply for a new job ….

ive heard similar stories from others working for them . as well as fresh towels being suppled for showering when you get to the office ….

It’s not the company you are thinking of, but it’s headquartered in a country where green incentives are a key agenda item.

There are fresh towels and good showers too though 🙂

it will be taxable, but when you add it up over the year it will easily buy me a new bike

Buy the new bike through the Bike To Work scheme and you can avoid the tax too 😀

IIRC, you can get up to 20p a mile for business mileage tax free. Anything over that has to be declared on your tax return.

I feel sad (orange and blue chemicals company)

Name them, do they need Chemists the North East?

so whilst a Golf might be suitable for me as a new driver, I couldn’t help but feel I’d be wishing I’d taken the BMW after a year

Daft. Golfs are not beginner’s cars, there’s no such thing.

Otherwise, I agree with your post 🙂

IIRC, you can get up to 20p a mile for business mileage tax free. Anything over that has to be declared on your tax return.

Is home to place of work classed as “business” mileage though by HMRC? I was under the impression that it wasn’t and is therefore taxable?

Would be even better if it was tax free though!

Bike locked to a drainpipe.
Get changed in the toilet.
Had to steal a locker.

Welcome to the NHS.

Name them, do they need Chemists the North East?

Not really comfortable naming them on here to be honest.

No need for chemists though 🙂

“Name them, do they need Chemists the North East? “

experianced and oilfield – yes

inexperianced and non oilfield – apparently not … my mates mrs is back at uni doing a masters conversion from general chemistry to oilfield chemistry.

where you gonna be based out of peterfile ? ps is it a norwegian company then ?

Is home to place of work classed as “business” mileage though by HMRC? I was under the impression that it wasn’t and is therefore taxable?

No it’s not. So you’re right, it is.

.. I’m thinking poss. Danish .. ?

I pay myself. By saving petrol. 🙂

We are paid £0.10 per mile that we cycle to work. This is a benefit so is taxable. So far this calendar year I’ve earned £26.25 (before tax). 🙂

Awesome! You’re job sounds quality. If you extend your commute do you get extra money?

What a training incentive 😆

“Bit skint this month, better do a 100miler” 😆