How to Save Up to 47% on an eBike in 2026
The Cycle to Work Scheme is one of the most overlooked perks in the British workplace. If your employer takes part, you can buy an eBike worth £1,000–£3,000+ and save anywhere from 32% to 47% on the total cost — paid for tax-free through your salary in monthly instalments.
This guide explains exactly how the scheme works, who qualifies, how much you'll save, and how to use it to buy a Roxform eBike.
What is the Cycle to Work Scheme?
The Cycle to Work Scheme is a UK government tax-incentive programme launched in 1999. It allows employees to buy a bicycle and accessories through their employer using a salary-sacrifice arrangement. Because the payments come out of your gross salary, you don't pay Income Tax or National Insurance on the amount — which is where the saving comes from.
In short: your employer buys the bike, you "hire" it from them through monthly deductions, and at the end of the hire period you typically take ownership for a small final payment.
How much can you actually save?
Your savings depend on your tax bracket. As a quick rule of thumb:
- Basic-rate taxpayer (20%): save around 32%
- Higher-rate taxpayer (40%): save around 42%
- Additional-rate taxpayer (45%): save up to 47%
For example, on a £1,500 Roxform eBike a higher-rate taxpayer typically pays around £870 in total — a saving of roughly £630.
Is there a £1,000 limit?
No, not anymore. The £1,000 cap was removed in 2019, so most schemes now allow purchases up to £3,000 or more, depending on your employer's provider. This matters because quality eBikes — including most Roxform models — sit comfortably above the old limit.
Who qualifies for the Cycle to Work Scheme?
You qualify if all of the following are true:
- You're a UK employee paid through PAYE
- Your employer is signed up with a scheme provider (Cyclescheme, Green Commute Initiative, Bike2Work, Vivup, and others)
- Your salary after the deduction stays above the National Minimum Wage
- You intend to use the bike mainly for commuting (HMRC's rule is at least 50% qualifying journeys)
If you're self-employed, on a zero-hours contract, or a company director paid mostly through dividends, you usually won't qualify — but check with your accountant.
How the scheme works, step by step
- Confirm your employer's provider. Ask HR which scheme they use (Cyclescheme, GCI, etc.).
- Choose your Roxform eBike. Pick the bike, size and accessories you want at roxform.co.uk.
- Get a quote. Your scheme provider will generate a quote or voucher for the total amount.
- Employer approves. Your employer signs off on the salary-sacrifice agreement.
- Receive your voucher. You'll get a digital voucher or certificate.
- Redeem with Roxform. Send us the voucher and we'll dispatch your eBike, or arrange collection at a partner retailer.
- Pay monthly through your salary. Typically over 12 months, although some providers offer 18 or 24 months.
- Take ownership. At the end of the hire period you'll usually pay a small "ownership fee" (often 3–7% of the original value) and the bike is yours.
Why use the scheme for an eBike specifically?
eBikes are where the scheme genuinely shines, because the savings are applied to a higher purchase price. A £200 entry-level bike saves you about £64 — useful, but modest. A £1,800 eBike can save you £750 or more, which is real money.
eBikes also remove most of the practical objections to cycle commuting: hills, sweat, distance, and arriving knackered to a 9 am meeting. Pedal-assist motors flatten out the route so you can comfortably commute 10–20 miles without changing clothes at the office.
Does Roxform work with the Cycle to Work Scheme?
Yes. Roxform partners with the major UK scheme providers and can accept vouchers from most employers. Once you have your voucher, we'll deliver your eBike to your home or to a local Roxform partner retailer for collection.
If your employer hasn't set up a scheme yet, point them towards Cyclescheme or the Green Commute Initiative. Getting set up takes a few days and costs the employer nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the Cycle to Work Scheme for an eBike? Yes. The scheme covers electric bicycles (eBikes) as well as standard bikes, accessories, helmets and locks.
What happens if I leave my job before the hire period ends? You'll typically need to settle the remaining balance from your net (after-tax) pay. This reduces the saving slightly but you still keep the bike.
Can I buy accessories through the scheme? Yes — most providers let you add a helmet, lock, lights, mudguards, panniers and similar safety-related accessories to the same voucher.
Is the Cycle to Work Scheme still worth it in 2026? Yes. With the cost of commuting rising — rail fares, fuel, parking — the savings on an eBike have arguably never been better value, especially for higher-rate taxpayers.
Can I buy a Roxform eBike on the scheme if I work from home most days? HMRC's rule is "mainly for qualifying journeys," which includes commuting to a workplace at least some of the time. If you go in once or twice a week, you typically qualify. Check with your employer's scheme provider for the exact wording.
Ready to start?
If your employer offers the Cycle to Work Scheme, choosing a Roxform eBike is one of the simplest tax breaks you'll ever claim. Browse the range at roxform.co.uk, and head to our Cycle to Work Scheme page for the latest list of supported providers and step-by-step instructions.
This guide is for general information only and doesn't constitute tax advice. Your exact saving depends on your tax band, your employer's scheme, and the final hire-period terms. Roxform isn't a tax adviser — please check with your employer or an accountant if you're unsure.
