Cycling has many roles. For some, it’s part of daily routine and offers physical and mental wellbeing. For others, cycling is a means to an end – a mode of transport to get from A to B. Or it could be a welcome but intermittent pastime which elevates summer evenings or winter weekends.
Whatever reason your employees cycle – it’s crucial that Cyclescheme is on hand to support during these unique, and potentially overwhelming, times. That’s why we have created our COVID-19 cycling hub.
Short links:
- Contact centre
- Retailer network
- Ownership / end of hire
- Furloughed workers
- Public sector financing
- Useful reading on COVID-19
- Cyclescheme blogs you may find useful
Contact centre
Our contact centre is operating slightly reduced hours; we're open from 09:00 to 19:00, Monday to Sunday (normally 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Sunday).
Retailer network
With new Restrictions now in place across the whole of the UK from early November, it is our understanding that Bicycle Stores will be classed as ‘essential’ as they were back in the spring of 2020
Stores are currently trading as normal in England , Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, although you should expect some changes when visiting your local store.
At Cyclescheme we have a wide range of retailers from local stores to mail order, multi-sport retailers and online retailers.
Some retailers are adapting to the current circumstances by:
- Operating by appointment only
- Operating a local delivery service
- Operating a ‘drive-through/takeaway’ basis
- Operainge by mail order only
- Allowing only 2 customers in the store at once
We advise employees to take the following measures before leaving home to collect their Cyclescheme bike from a retailer:
- Call the store directly, there is a chance that they will still be operating in some capacity
- Remember to take a face mask – all customers using bicycle stores must follow the guidelines outlined by the localised Governments.
- Contact Cyclescheme for support either via Facebook or directly on RetailTeam@bhnetwork.com
Employees may also wish to utilise the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) open bike shop tool at openbikeshops.uk.
Ownership / End of Hire
Cyclescheme is currently applying a 3-month extension to the date our ownership fee is due. This is in response to Covid-19 and its economic impact.
Employees can choose an ownership option and pay any associated fee today or delay this by up to 3 months. If an employee wishes to delay, they don’t need to alert us. The only consideration is that an employee cannot reapply for a new cycle to work package until the ownership fee is settled.
Furloughed workers
We've created a resource for employers' that explains the options for furloughed workers. You can access it here, within our knowledge base.
Public sector financing
We believe it is vital that key workers can choose to cycle to work if they wish. To help public sector bodies get bikes to their staff as quickly as possible during the pandemic, Cyclescheme is offering to finance Public Sector schemes. This means that all Public Sector employers need to do is review and approve requests and we'll make sure employees can get their eCertificate instantly. Eligible employers can request this via their Account Manager or by contacting us.
Useful reading on cycling and COVID-19
The situation is changing daily but in a bid to keep you updated with the most useful and pertinent information from the cycle trade, we've collated a list of useful articles and statements that you may find useful.
Cyclescheme's advice on:
- How to follow Covid-19 guidance on your bike for employees: Go to content
- How and why to keep Cyclescheme running during lockdown for employers: Go to content
Sport England advice on staying fit during the pandemic: Go to content
British Cycling Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about cycling and COVID-19: Go to content
British Cycling advice if you're a cyclist that wants to help: Go to content
London Cycling Campaign's Facebook messenger service and general cycling advice: Go to content
The Bicycle Association's cycling information hub: Go to content
Cycling Weekly's cycling and coronavirus, everything you need to know: Go to content
Bike Radar's cycling and coronavirus round-up: Go to content
Road.cc's coronavirus article overview: Go to content