For some arcane legal reason the University decided to replace the long-running tax-free cycle purchase scheme provider Cyclescheme with CycleSolutions. Rather than the expertise and protection available from most participating quality cycle shops , the scheme works out of a warehouse that delivers bikes in boxes. Not ideal. While it is possible to involve a shop CycleSolutions make that an unappealing option for the customer – its an even worse deal for the shop, so most decent shops will have nothing to do withy them.
Bubug members reports include:
- only 1 shop listed in Birmingham city centre listed (On your Bike – closed in 2020!)
- several good shops not listed (eg Scotts of Hall Green or Red Kite of Shirley)
- inability to get bikes other than hybrids eg touring bikes or cargo bikes
- inability to go beyond the £3000 limit by paying the extra beyond the scheme
- poor stocks
- poor choice
It really is time for the University to get a scheme that actually suits staff….
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