Having worked in a store that dealt with CycletoWork, I can assure you that probably more than 80% of customers buying any type of bike on the scheme have no intention of ever riding that bike to work. Have always thought that it was dubious right from the start...but then ultimately if it makes the employee happier and fitter then it's still a benefit to the employer right?.....and an ebike is a perfect tool to commute to work on if they ever did use the scheme as intended, arrive less sweaty and all.
The tax savings will still only be available on a grand a year so £400 (high rate tax payer) in the past it was getting a bike higher priced than the voucher that was the problem. Ie £1000 voucher maximum rrp bike you could buy was £1000, not in theory you can use your £1k c2w voucher towards a £7k bike, by you’ll only save on the voucher..
I’ll be getting a dirt jump bike when my current c2w expires in September and I can get a new voucher
it’s still a benefit to the employer right?
At a net loss to the treasury (i.e. you and me and everyone else who uses the nhs, drives on a road, expects a state pension, feels those a bit less fortunate might need some assistance etc etc) not the employer.
I think Ebikes are brilliant for commuting - my wife uses a dutch style ebike every day for exactly that. For actually riding to work.
Pretty sure the vouchers can be any value now (up to the employer)
For sure. Whack the pricing into a c2w calculator shows a 7k bike for just over 4k, depending on employer. Ride it to work though? No chance. Will stick to the car.
I'm sure the chap above will get all red faced and wish increasing bizarre injuries on me. How very amusing!
At a net loss to the treasury....
I completely agree with you....the whole concept of the scheme is dubious if analysed in light of a minority using it as intended, one can only assume that the government's never really looked into it... You'd be amazed how many times we'd have to explain to numpties why it is not legit to be buying their kids bikes on the scheme for example, or a full on downhill bike on the pretence that yes I suppose one could ride it to work, yeah right. Mostly people don't understand why they shouldn't use it this way and see it as an entitled work discount.
Since I got it, over 95% of my commutes have been done on my £5k eMTB that I bought through work. It really is excellent across a hilly town with potholes, bad drivers, winter weather and so on. It’s also my main MTB now.
Above is a brilliant use of the scheme Chief...now if we can just ban cars from town centres, get safe routes to get to work/ school, on bikes that can double up for weekend pleasure then we all win ultimately....could be the future.
Time to just make bikes and ebikes low VAT rated, and add extra purchase taxes of some form to all and any vehicle that uses petrol or diesel. And get rid of other tax wheezes related to cycling.
Indeed. If we're handing out tax breaks for cycling, let's do it across the board and not favour the higher rate tax payers. Or, we could be really forward-thinking and actually reward folk financially when they choose to commute by bike.
I'm sure I've read somewhere that there are already companies who give out financial incentives if employees log a target amount of commutes by bicycle, as extra pay or holiday in lieu, it may not have been in this country...as an eco-conscious lifelong Vegetarian who doesn't consume much and currently works from home I'd really like a tax break please...if only.
Indeed. If we’re handing out tax breaks for cycling, let’s do it across the board and not favour the higher rate tax payers.
+1
I didn't mind benefiting when I was a higher-rate taxpayer but must admit it's a weirdly regressive "benefit". I could probably do it again now via my current employer, but my bargain hunting skills are honed to such a level that it's kind-of superfluous to my needs.
If they were handing out free Bromptons though...
Reading various reviews and snowy ride reports, Danny Mac vids etc. I wonder if the new Heckler really is that good, leagues above most other ebikes, or is it a lot of hype ? On paper it has the wrong size wheels, an old tech motor and poor spec for the money.
So, is it really a step above the E150 RS Whyte, or the Orbea Wild FS, or a Spesh Levo or is it a case of The Emperors New Clothes...
I doubt it’s better at all, just different. Probably nicely made, good guarantee for sure, fun to ride. Is anything ever leagues ahead of anything else (at a similar price) in an industry this competitive?
Well I've been in at Mugdock today and seen one in the flesh and they are lovely, but the most remarkable thing was the weight compared to the Cube stereo ebike which felt like a boat anchor.
I can only imagine how that must transfer on the trail, it certainly felt on a different level to the Cube ebike...but probably cost twice as much.
^^^ interesting, I thought it was similar weight, at around 49-51 lb to most of the decent spec alternatives. Was it the blingy one with the carbon wheels etc ? Haven't tried picking up one of Keith's Cube's mind you !
Indeed. If we’re handing out tax breaks for cycling, let’s do it across the board and not favour the higher rate tax payers. Or, we could be really forward-thinking and actually reward folk financially when they choose to commute by bike.
Edinburgh city council tried to do this. HMRC decided it was a taxable benefit and killed the idea
It's interesting how much debate and discussion ebikes are causing, but then any new innovation has the same effect (29", dropper posts, wireless shifting). I'm lucky enough to live in Morzine so popped into the Santa Cruz marketing showroom to take a look at the new Heckler they have on display and it was a good looking bike (although personally i wouldn't pick yellow). From what I get from the person in the showroom it's quite similar to the Bronson (and other than the battery section looks very much like it) and does a very good job on the downhills with the added benefit on the ups. I've ridden the Nomad and the Megatower round here for a few years and have no doubt i'll start seeing a fair few of these Hecklers around. My wife (who has also ridden the Nomad and was looking at the Juliana Roubion) said she'd be really interested in getting the Heckler instead as it meant that when we go out together on the more enduro style rides she'll be closer to me on the ups and it'll be more fun for her (and probably for me too), that seemed like a good reason to me.
So, is it really a step above the E150 RS Whyte, or the Orbea Wild FS, or a Spesh Levo or is it a case of The Emperors New Clothes
Absolutely not, it’s conservative (outdated) geometry, outdated motor + battery tech & hilariously overpriced, even for a Santa Cruz. And it looks sh*t.
I can’t think of any reason why I would want to consider buying it over a number of other Ebikes currently for sale.
From what I get from the person in the showroom it’s quite similar to the Bronson (and other than the battery section looks very much like it) and does a very good job on the downhills with the added benefit on the ups.
Truly insightful from the marketing guy there
“it’s conservative (outdated) geometry”
It may be that I don’t ride fast enough but I feel that geometry doesn’t need to go quite as long and slack when you have the added stability and more effective suspension due to the much greater frame weight. Also, with their high speed uphill ability there’s an argument for slightly higher bottom brackets.
And also that speed on flat or slightly uphill trails gives a good argument for not going so steep on the seat angle so your seated position is closer to your attack position for better handling. And then that ties together with longer chainstays so you can climb steep stuff.
I’d still rather have 29” wheels though!
🙂 he was actually very chatty and helpful and gave some good personal opinions, the bit i was highlighting was the similarity to the Bronson out of the range.
^^^^^ yeah, RideCairngorm have been using one for past week or so and riding with Danny Mac and others, and that's exactly how they described it too !
