Fifty quid bike voucher scheme opens tonight

[turnoffsaysthestar]

Most bikes need a bit of oil and the brakes looking at ,most of which can be done at home by nearly any one if the tyres are bald a new tyre maybe . i have a feeling this money will be wasted on people who usually do their own maintenance quite happily.
£400 for a service? most bikes don't cost that much outside of big cities,no most people don't spend that much.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

I would love to cycle to work, but wouldn’t put my life in the hands of car drivers. The Nunthorpe to Guisborough bye pass is awful and I wouldn’t cycle a long it.

A better idea would be to improve cycle lanes.

 

[Holgatewall]

I would love to cycle to work, but wouldn’t put my life in the hands of car drivers. The Nunthorpe to Guisborough bye pass is awful and I wouldn’t cycle a long it.

A better idea would be to improve cycle lanes.

Exactly my thoughts. I cycled for years and would get a bike if it was safer.

 

[buffaloboro]

"From the taxpayer" - err, aren't we all tax payers?

If you're working yes but not everyone will be able to take advantage of it.

 

[Jonny2773]

My Son, who works bloody hard for just over minimum wage, has an Specialized enduro which is in desperate need for a service, the service on these are often well over £150, he has asked me to stay up to see if I can get him a voucher. I'm not sure what the rules or requirements are for these vouchers, even after research, very little is known about what and who can apply and for what reasons.. I guess I'll just apply and see.

If your son can afford a specialized enduro then he can afford to service it, also it’s not really been bought to cycle to work so it’s complete abuse of this voucher scheme

 

[asredastheycome]

Wonder how many with perfectly serviceable bikes will apply. Sure thats not what its for.

 

[TheLodger]

If your son can afford a specialized enduro then he can afford to service it, also it’s not really been bought to cycle to work so it’s complete abuse of this voucher scheme

This is the whole point, this isn't a "cycle to work scheme" it's a fix or service your bike scheme, I said in my initial post that the rules are not clear indeed as far as I can see the only rule is if you have a bike that's in need of some attention, and yes he can afford to have it serviced himself, but again it doesn't say you have to be skint to apply.

 

[KingOfTheTribes]

This is the whole point, this isn't a "cycle to work scheme" it's a fix or service your bike scheme, I said in my initial post that the rules are not clear indeed as far as I can see the only rule is if you have a bike that's in need of some attention, and yes he can afford to have it serviced himself, but again it doesn't say you have to be skint to apply.

I bet you vote Tory

 

[TheLodger]

I bet you vote Tory

I'd chop my own leg off first.

 

[dooderooni]

This scheme should be used as part of a drive to change lives, not as a chance to get something for free just because it's there.
How many will just use it to get a bike fixed then stick it back in the shed once it starts acting up again?
Bike maintenance isn't hard and the resources to learn how to do it properly are out there in abundance. Those who don't do their own regular maintenance will pay for it anyway. If I didn't do my own work then I'd not take advantage of this voucher if it meant that it possibly stopped someone getting the chance to start cycling and potentially changing their life.

 

[Jonny2773]

This scheme should be used as part of a drive to change lives, not as a chance to get something for free just because it's there.
How many will just use it to get a bike fixed then stick it back in the shed once it starts acting up again?
Bike maintenance isn't hard and the resources to learn how to do it properly are out there in abundance. Those who don't do their own regular maintenance will pay for it anyway. If I didn't do my own work then I'd not take advantage of this voucher if it meant that it possibly stopped someone getting the chance to start cycling and potentially changing their life.

I completely agree with you Dood, I think there will be way too many people taking advantage of this because its free!

This is the whole point, this isn't a "cycle to work scheme" it's a fix or service your bike scheme, I said in my initial post that the rules are not clear indeed as far as I can see the only rule is if you have a bike that's in need of some attention, and yes he can afford to have it serviced himself, but again it doesn't say you have to be skint to apply.

Your right, it doesnt say you have to be skint to apply, however, my understanding is that there is only 50,000 vouchers, so why take a voucher that he doesnt need to take when what he is doing is taking away from those that actually need it?

 

[The_Lizards_Jumpers]

I completely agree with you Dood, I think there will be way too many people taking advantage of this because its free!




Your right, it doesnt say you have to be skint to apply, however, my understanding is that there is only 50,000 vouchers, so why take a voucher that he doesnt need to take when what he is doing is taking away from those that actually need it?

There's only 50,000 initially, but I believe there are further releases to come.

I have no issue with the government, or anyone taking up this offer, and if it gets one more person cycling then it'll be a winner. There's bound to be people who abuse it, there always will be.

To those saying you can do it yourself, there are loads of reasons why people don't. Lack of education, lack of tools (which can be expensive and very specialist), lack of space in which to do it or even just that they don't want to.

I personally have paid too much for my bikes to potentially risk ruining a component or frame, and would much rather pay a few hundred quid to get a specialist to do it (after all I don't service my own car or boiler - I leave it to trained specialists).