The government wants to put more bums on bikes but Kilian Doylefinds out if €1,000 is enough to get kitted out
IN THEIR efforts to get us to swap the steering wheel for the saddle, the Government is offering employees a benefit-in-kind tax break of €1,000 to buy the necessary equipment to enable them to cycle to work. Which is very generous of them. Or is it?
First, you have to decide what kind of bike you need for your commute. With hundreds of brands and designs of bikes - ranging in price from a few hundred euro to the price of a small hatchback - the choice can be daunting. As a general rule, racing bikes are too uncomfortable and prone to mechanical problems, while mountain bikes are heavy and have tyres entirely unsuited to tarmac. The ideal commuting bike is the hybrid, with large wheels, thin tyres and straight handlebars.
Cycle Superstore in Dublin 12 has a bike adviser facility on its website which allows commuters to tailor starter packages to their needs. For the fast commuter, the Lapierre RCR 100 (€495) is ideal. It's no-nonsense, light, sturdy and pretty quick. Giant, Trek and Ridgeback offer similar models. For women, the Giant Expression N7 (€549) looks the business. Stylish and comfortable, it comes fitted with mudguards, chain protector and a rear carrier. With drum brakes and hub gears it's also bombproof.
Folding bucycles are ideal for those cycling to and from train or Luas stations or who want to stick a bike in the boot of their car. The Giant Halfway Lite (€459) is a great little aluminium-framed bike that is surprisingly good to cycle and can be folded away into a shoulder bag in less than 20 seconds. An extra €80 will get you the Halfway 7, which has mudguards and a carrier for panniers.
For those hoping to avoid too much exertion, electric bikes use a pedal assisted battery to push you to speeds of 25km/h. The motor kicks in once you get the revs up, like a mini-turbo boost. Prices start from €1,200.
The ultimate in no-frills cycling is a fixed-wheel bike of the type couriers ride. While unsuitable for novice cyclists, requiring as they do cat-like reflexes to control, they have the advantage of being maintenance free. Cycleogical on Bachelor's Walk sells the Kona Paddy Wagon (€599), which, unlike most courier bikes, has brakes.
Once you've chosen your bike, you'll need all the gear. It's possible to spend €300 on a helmet, €250 on a lock, €300 on Goretex waterproof trousers and the same again on headlights. But do you really need to?
No. The Abus chain-link lock, (€52 from Cycle Superstore) will deter 99 per cent of thieves. Breathable, wind-resistant, high-visibility rainjackets can be picked up for €100, while €60 will get you perfectly adequate leggings. Another €40 on a helmet, €25 for lights and €30 for winter gloves and you're set.
Finally, you can also use your bike to ferry your offspring around. Around €60 buys a single-child seat that fits easily to the frame of your bike, while €219 will get you the Kiddy Van 101 trailer that carries two children in rainproofed comfort. It attaches to the bike in seconds.
So it seems €1,000 is enough to get started. But unless Ireland's pitiful network of cycle lanes is drastically upgraded, it'll take more than a tax break to get people pedalling en masse.