Can't use bike for work
Discussion
I've just had a phone call and am waiting for an email to confirm that there are some rules and regulations somewhere that say we can't use motorbikes for company business. Apparently I am OK travelling to the office on it but can't use it for going to meeting etc.
Its not a huge issue as I generally use the company hack anyway but I did quite the odd excursion to clients site and watched the reactions when they realised it was me.
Oh well.
Its not a huge issue as I generally use the company hack anyway but I did quite the odd excursion to clients site and watched the reactions when they realised it was me.
Oh well.
Seems a bit harsh of your company assuming that they allow use of personal cars for such visits (and reimburse expenses.) I’ve used my bike on many occasions for visiting customers and it has always been viewed favourably by the customers. Just don’t get me started on the Tax allowances for business travel using a motorcycle/bicycle/car. 
PhillVR6 said:
I've just had a phone call and am waiting for an email to confirm that there are some rules and regulations somewhere that say we can't use motorbikes for company business. Apparently I am OK travelling to the office on it but can't use it for going to meeting etc.
When I was a staff employee some years ago, the firm I worked for had a similar rule, as when travelling on business you were covered by their blanket insurance policy which excluded motorcycles, because of a percieved higher risk status. I think that this is fairly common
black-k1 said:
Just don’t get me started on the Tax allowances for business travel using a motorcycle/bicycle/car.
No, please do. I was after using a bike for company business and with the new van rules and a shift in our core business, now might be a good time to kick off about it again...
For using you personal vehicles on business use you can claim (without tax implication):
Car – 40p/mile for first 10000 miles, 25p/mile there after.
Motorcycle – 24p/mile
Bicycle – 20p/mile
I understand that cars get more per mile for the first 10,000 miles to cover standing costs (insurance, RFL, age related depreciation etc.) but why don’t motorcycles? How the f
k do bicycles warrant only 4p/mile less than a motorcycle? You can tell that these values were put together without any reference to anyone who actually owns/rides a motorcycle! 
Car – 40p/mile for first 10000 miles, 25p/mile there after.
Motorcycle – 24p/mile
Bicycle – 20p/mile
I understand that cars get more per mile for the first 10,000 miles to cover standing costs (insurance, RFL, age related depreciation etc.) but why don’t motorcycles? How the f
k do bicycles warrant only 4p/mile less than a motorcycle? You can tell that these values were put together without any reference to anyone who actually owns/rides a motorcycle! 
Well, it happened. Fortunately I can still commute on the bike.
www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/April/apr16-22/apr1607thefirmthatbannedbikes/?&R=EPI-90552
www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/April/apr16-22/apr1607thefirmthatbannedbikes/?&R=EPI-90552
Well my bike is a company bike and I'm insured fully comp for business use too.
The extra insurance cost is pretty negligible if you take into account the time saved travelling to places in heavy traffic and the cash saved by using the bike instead of the car.
I have a company car too but this tends to live in the garage or at work, except in really poor weather such as snow or ice.
The problem is that with much of the 'Health & Safety' restrictions these days, it's a wonder that any jobs get done.
I'm all for it in many circumstances but H&S is in danger of stopping us from doing anything these days.
The extra insurance cost is pretty negligible if you take into account the time saved travelling to places in heavy traffic and the cash saved by using the bike instead of the car.
I have a company car too but this tends to live in the garage or at work, except in really poor weather such as snow or ice.
The problem is that with much of the 'Health & Safety' restrictions these days, it's a wonder that any jobs get done.
I'm all for it in many circumstances but H&S is in danger of stopping us from doing anything these days.
dern said:
Am I right in assuming that you have a bike insurance policy in your name with company use on it? If that's the case then it's not the same thing as a company wide policy.
I think the issue relates more to insurance for things like death in service and critical illness. As I work for a US company, it would seem to just be a matter of time. Let's hope not.
Talksteer said:
I don't get this insurance risk thing, surely if you want to use your bike they could just ask you to insure it for business class 1 usage (inter site movement during work hours) and then the liability for you if you fall off it is just yours alone.
At a guess that'll only cover you for your losses I imagine and not the company's... lost business and all that.
I suspect that perhaps their concern is that should you be injured using a motorcycle for work, you might be able to argue that the employer was taking some responsibility by not insisting you use a car, which might put you in a position to claim off them.
I, of course, have a very understanding employer - moi!
I, of course, have a very understanding employer - moi!
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