Why cycle to work?
Everyone has their own reasons for choosing to cycle to work, but the benefits often go far beyond what you first expect:
A healthier mind and body
Hitting your fitness goals faster
Feeling happier and more energised
Enjoying your commute rather than dreading it
Arriving on time, fresh and ready to work
Saving money on fuel and parking
Cycling to work doesn’t just benefit you – it also helps the environment by reducing congestion, lowering emissions, and cutting noise pollution.
How the scheme works
Cycle-to-work schemes make it easier and more affordable to get a new bike and accessories through your employer. The process may vary slightly depending on the scheme provider, but the general steps are:
Choose your package – This usually includes your bike and can also cover safety equipment, accessories, and clothing. (HMRC rules exclude GPS or bike computers.)
Apply through your employer’s scheme – Most employers are registered with a provider. You’ll need to submit an application, often with a quote for your chosen package.
Approval & voucher – Once approved, your employer arranges payment with the scheme provider, and a voucher is issued to cover your bike package.
Salary sacrifice – You pay your employer back via a salary sacrifice agreement, meaning payments are taken from your gross salary (before tax). This gives you significant savings on the overall cost.
Collect your bike – Once everything is signed off, you can pick up your new bike and start riding to work.
End-of-scheme options – At the end of your hire period, your provider will explain the options available if you’d like to keep the bike. This is usually straightforward and low-cost, though details vary between schemes.
Cycle-to-work providers
We work with a range of cycle-to-work providers, making it easy to use your scheme with Ocean Cycles.
We currently accept:
Cyclescheme
Green Commute Initiative
Vivup
Halfords Cycle2Work
Gogeta
While we can process orders through all of the providers above, our preferred providers are Vivup, Green Commute Initiative and Gogeta. We find these schemes offer a straightforward process and make it easy for customers to get their bike and equipment through their employer.
If you’re unsure which provider your employer uses, don’t worry. Get in touch with us before applying and we can help you understand the process and make sure your chosen bike and equipment are suitable for your scheme.
Your bike package
Bikes included: Conventional bikes, electric bikes, and cargo/trike-style bikes are generally eligible. Motorbikes, mopeds, and scooters are not.
Brands: Bikes must be from reputable, road-legal brands. E-bikes must meet UK regulations.
Accessories: Locks, helmets, lights, racks, child seats, and clothing can usually be included.
What’s not included: Anything that modifies a bike into a moped (like speed dongles) is not allowed.
Ultimately, eligibility depends on HMRC guidelines and your scheme provider’s rules.