Five reasons to take up cycling
1. It's good for your health. Not only is it great for getting
you from A to B, but an convenient way of making sure you get your
daily dose of exercise.
2. It's cheaper than driving or taking public transport
3. It's helping to preserve the environment we live in. Motor
vehicles are one of the main causes of climate change.
3. Bicycles are faster in rush-hour traffic
4. Almost anyone and everyone can afford to cycle
5. Cycling is more sociable and helps to integrate
communities
Low-cost Bicycles for Students
Somerset County Council is currently offering low-cost bicycles
to students for the coming academic year. You can borrow a brand
new 2012 Saracen Tufftrax mountain bike (worth £270) for just £40
for the year. At the same time, you pay a deposit of £75 and at the
end of the year decide if you want to return the bike and get your
£75 back, or keep the bike (in which case the council keep your
£75).
It's a great deal because you can get
a bike at less than half the retail value, it is delivered to you
at college/sixth form so it's very convenient and you get free
servicing during the year. Cycling is a particularly good option
for students living between 1 and 5 miles from college/sixth form
because it's quick and cheap and very flexible because you are not
tied to particular times to get a lift or catch a bus.
The closing date for applications is 23rd August to have the bike
delivered in September.
For more information, go to the Moving Somerset Foward website for more
information and to apply, or call 01823 357123
Apply by 14 June 2012 round 1 or 23
August 2012 round 2
Cycle to work scheme
In 2005, the government launched a Cycle to Work Scheme, which
enables employees to buy VAT and tax-free bicycles and
equipment for commuting, saving up to 50 per cent of the cost
of a new bike.
How it works
The business buys the bicycle on behalf of the employee, who
then repays the cost of the bike via a monthly deduction from their
pay packet (usually over 18 months). As the payment comes off
before tax and national insurance contributions are deducted, the
employee makes a saving equivalent to the combined value of their
tax and NIC contributions for that sum. If their employer is
registered for VAT, this can also be reclaimed from the cost of the
bicycle. At the end of the loan period, the employee has the option
to purchase the bike for the "fair market value" via a final
payment.
Find out more
about the Cycle to Work Scheme
Cycle routes
The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans
.
The cycle routes are designed to minimise contacts of cyclists
with motorists. In some cases, the cycle routes disused railway
lines, minor roads or canal towpaths.
Find out
more on the Sustrans website