You can join this scheme if you:

• are aged 18 or over
• have a permanent contract of employment with the council
• are on a temporary contract of employment with 12 or more months left at the time of applying
• receive more than the national minimum wage, after the salary sacrifice has been taken off your gross salary

Once you have chosen your bike and/or accessories, you'll sign a 1 year hire agreement between you and the council. The council then pays for your bike.

You'll then pay the council back through monthly payments taken from your gross salary (this means you'll pay before any tax is deducted). This is known as a salary sacrifice scheme.

You'll be paying less tax and National Insurance every month that you're paying off the bike. This means that at the end of the scheme you'll have saved up to 42 per cent of the actual cost of the bike. More if you are a higher rate taxpayer.

Use the savings calculator on Cycle Solutions website to find out how much you could save.

Cycle Solutions will contact you with options at the end of your hire agreement.

Here are some ways you may be able to find the answer:

• check out the Cycle to Work FAQs (further down the page) - the answer to your question may be there
• Visit the East Riding store on the Cycle Solutions website
• contact Cycle Solutions on 0330 100 2480

Yes, you can. We understand everyone is not commuting at the moment but your yearly commute only needs to amount to 50 per cent of the bike's total usage.

By ordering now, you can use it as part of your daily exercise routine, in line with current social distancing guidance.

For online orders with Cycle Solutions: Cycle Solutions are operating as usual and dispatching orders. They have good stock availability. However, delivery can take up to 3 weeks at present following them processing an approved order.

For orders at a local shop: Most bike shops have remained open during the coronavirus pandemic, but delivery times will vary. Please check with your chosen provider.

No. Your existing hire agreement is with the council so your payments will continue to come out of your salary as usual until the agreement finish date.

Hire agreements arranged through Cycle Solutions:

Cycle Solutions will contact you towards the end of your agreement and offer you 3 options.

Option 1 - Extended use of the bike and equipment

You can sign up to the 'Extended use agreement'. You will have nothing else to pay and no further monthly rentals. At the end of the 5 year extended agreement, Cycle Solutions will transfer ownership to you.

This is the most common option taken by employees.

Option 2 - Buy the bike and equipment

You can pay Cycle Solutions the fair market value (FMV) for the bike and equipment. This is a percentage of the the original value of goods:

• 18 per cent if below £500
• 25 per cent if above £500

Option 3 - Return of bike and equipment

Cycle Solutions will make arrangements to collect the bike and any equipment at the end of the hire agreement.

Hire agreements arranged through Halfords:

Once your hire agreement has finished, you'll keep the cycle and/or accessories.

Then if you would like another bike and/or accessories, you may place an order with Cycle Solutions and start a new hire agreement with the council (subject to eligibility).

The amount outstanding on your hire agreement will be taken from your final net salary payment. This payment can not be taken from your gross pay as you would no longer be eligible for the tax and NI savings on the outstanding balance.

This applies whether you have chosen to leave, such as for a new job or retirement, have been asked to leave or if you have been made redundant.

No. Under either scheme your hire agreement is between you and the council. You can only enter one cycle to work scheme at a time.

However once your existing hire agreement has finished, you can place an order with Cycle Solutions and start a new hire agreement with the council (subject to eligibility).

Yes, as long as you are still eligible for the scheme and you have completed your previous hire agreement with the council.

There is no limit on the number of bikes, or accessories that can be purchased through the cycle to work scheme.

Cycle Solutions have the UK's widest range of bicycles and accessories so they can cater for all your cycling needs. They also have a wide network of local stores you can access. Other benefits:

• Best value:

  To make sure you receive the best value for money, Cycle Solutions will price match any bikes or equipment found elsewhere.

• Specific brands:

  Have a bike in mind? Due to unique buying power and good working relationships with manufacturers Cycle Solutions can source specific brands.

• Accessible cycling:

  As part of their commitment to making cycling accessible to all, Cycle Solutions can provide bespoke bikes and cycle equipment. For example, if you had limited movement in your left hand that meant you weren't able to squeeze the brake, they could supply you with a Pashley tricycle instead. They'd also support you to complete the extra paperwork needed to access these bikes.

As well as your saving, you will also get:

• a free helmet bag, multitool and pedal spanner
• 8 weeks free bike insurance
• a 36 month warranty
• £15 credit towards a bike safety check at your local store
• points from the Cycle Solutions reward scheme to spend on future purchases
• an extra 15 per cent discount on the RRP of your bike if you buy direct with Cycle Solutions

Plus there are added benefits such as:

• keeping fit
• protecting the environment
• getting out and about on your cycle outside of work with family and friends (at least 50 per cent of your bike's use must be used for commuting)

For purchases made direct with Cycle Solutions:

Call the Cycle Solutions Helpdesk on 0330 100 2480 and they will be able to assist.

If it is equipment you installed yourself, either the Helpdesk will assist or, if it is not common equipment you may be asked to call the supplier of the equipment.

For purchases made with a local bike shop:

Please contact the shop and discuss any issues with them.

For purchases made with Halfords:

Please contact Halfords.

You can email the HR helpdesk with hire agreement or payment queries.