Leasing Cyclis Bikes: How Do They Work, and Is This the Best Option in Belgium?
Belgians are taking up cycling in droves: no fewer than 32% of workers now ride a bike to work. With an electric bike, you can avoid traffic jams and the stress of finding parking, and start your day with a clear head. Not to mention the benefits for your health and the environment.
Still, budget matters: a high-quality e-bike, a speed pedelec , or a cargo bike can easily cost between €2,500 and €5,000 or more. This is precisely where bike leasing comes into play. With a leasing plan, you can spread out the cost and enjoy a significant tax benefit. But how exactly does Cyclis Bike Lease work? And is it the best option for you? In this guide, we’ll walk you through how it works, the costs involved, and a particularly smart sustainable alternative.
Key Points at a Glance
- A tax benefit of up to 40%: Whether through a gross-salary exchange or a cafeteria plan, you’ll save significantly compared to a personal purchase.
- Complete peace of mind: the “ leasing ” includes roadside assistance through VAB, damage and theft insurance, a maintenance budget, and an extended warranty.
- The quick fix: Choosing an electric bike refurbished through a partner like Upway further reduces your monthly payment and guarantees immediate availability.
How does the Cyclis bike- leasing work? The 4 plans in Belgium
When you sign up for an e- leasing plan through Cyclis Bike Lease, there are four ways to structure it from a tax and financial perspective. If you’re still unfamiliar with the concept new , our article explaining whether leasing an e-bike is a good deal will give you the basics first.
1. Gross Salary Exchange
This is by far the most common option. You exchange a portion of your gross salary for the monthly contribution from leasing. Since your gross pay decreases, you pay less personal income tax and fewer social security contributions. Your employer also saves on employer contributions and passes this benefit on to you.
Example with figures: You choose a €3,000 e-bike with a “ leasing ” price of €129/month (including tax). Your gross monthly salary is then reduced by only €74. After taxes, this costs you about €48 per month. Over 36 months, you’ll pay a total of €1,728 net. With the 20% buyout option (€600), the bike becomes yours for €2,335. That’s a direct savings of €665 compared to a private purchase, including service and insurance for three years.
2. The " leasing " bike in a cafeteria floor plan
Employees can flexibly exchange all or part of their gross salary, year-end bonus, or industry-specific bonuses for benefits beyond what is required by law, such as a bicycle through leasing.
Example: You convert a year-end bonus of €2,500 gross. Thanks to the employer’s contribution (multiplier of 1.25), your “ leasing ” budget increases to €3,125. If your bike through the “ leasing ” program costs €125/month (€1,500/year), you pay for it directly from this budget. The remaining €1,625 can be used for other benefits or paid out to you as gross pay (approximately €650 net).
3. The Mobility Budget
If you’re eligible for a company car, you can exchange it for a mobility budget. You can allocate this budget as you see fit across three categories. For example, you could choose a more compact, eco-friendly car and then use the remaining monthly amount to leasing an electric bike. To help you decide between the two options, our comparison of renting versus buying an electric bike will help you see things more clearly.
4. Net Pay Exchange
There are no tax benefits here: you pay the full net price for the leasing . This option is primarily chosen by companies whose employees are paid according to a pay scale (minimum wages) and who therefore cannot legally adjust their gross salaries. Are you self-employed? The situation is different: find out why renting a bike as a self-employed person can be a good idea.
The All-In Package: Cycle Worry-Free
With a leasing through Cyclis Bike Lease, you automatically receive a comprehensive service package included in the monthly price:
- A customized maintenance budget: At the start, you choose a budget between €300 and €1,200 for maintenance during the leasing period. This amount is included in the monthly payment for tax purposes.
- Damage and Theft Insurance: Your electric bike is covered worldwide against damage and theft for three years.
- 24-Hour Assistance: If you run into trouble, the VAB roadside assistance service is available day and night throughout the Benelux.
- Extended warranty: You receive an additional year of warranty coverage, bringing the total coverage to 3 years.
- Replacement Bike: Is your bike in for repairs for a long time? A replacement bike keeps you on the move.
Upway 's strength: the leasing refurbished
Cyclis Bike Lease has recently started offering the “ leasing ” circular bike program. In practice, you choose a high-quality, pre-owned electric bike that has been inspected, refurbished by professionals, and is immediately ready to ride. And this is whereUpway comes in, as a circular partner of Cyclis Bike Lease. The concept is the same as the one described in our guide on how to rent an electric bike: refurbished with Upway.
As e-bike specialists, we at Upway know that a brand- new e model isn’t just expensive—it often comes with interminable delivery times. The circular leasing solves this problem, since the bikes are available right away. But that’s not the only advantage: there’s also technical expertise you won’t find in any brochure.
Upway 's Quality Guarantee: How We Test the Battery
Many buyers are hesitant about purchasing a used electric bike, mainly because of battery life. Every bike from leasing circulaire that passes through our network is no more than 4 years old, has no more than 10,000 km on the odometer, and comes with a guaranteed battery capacity of at least 80%.
Our experts, however, go a step further. In our workshops, every bike undergoes a rigorous 20-point mechanical and electronic inspection. We test the battery using specialized diagnostic software that precisely measures the “State of Health” (SoH) of the cells under real-world charging conditions. If a battery doesn’t meet our standards, the cells are reconditioned by professionals, or the battery is replaced entirely. We also replace wear-and-tear parts such as chains, sprockets, brake pads, and tires as a preventive measure. This applies equally to city bikes and to more powerful models from our Riese & Müller e-bike lineup. As a result, you’ll receive an e-bike that’s virtually indistinguishable from the new —both aesthetically and technically—and comes with a 1-year warranty.
The Double Financial Benefit
When you lease an electric bike— Upway ,refurbished , or leasing —through Cyclis Bike Lease, you’ll enjoy two major savings:
- The list price of a bike at Upway refurbished is, on average, 20% to 60% lower than the price new for the same model.
- On top of this already reduced catalog value, you can then take advantage of the 40% tax benefit through the gross salary exchange feature of your leasing plan.
The result: high-end brands like Riese & Müller, Specialized, Stromer, and Gazelle suddenly become affordable at a fraction of the usual monthly net cost. Even a model from our selection priced between €1,000 and €2,000, or a bike from our catalog of used e-bikes, can cost less than €50 net per month.
Leasing new or circular “ leasing ”: a comparison
| Criteria | Bicycle from leasing new | leasing 's Circular Bike (Upway) |
|---|---|---|
| List Price | 100% of the price new | 20% to 60% less |
| Delivery time | Often ranging from several weeks to several months | Available immediately |
| Net monthly cost | Higher | Significantly lower |
| Condition of the bike | Factory-new | Max. 4 years, max. 10,000 km, ≥ 80% battery capacity |
| Warranty | Manufacturer's Warranty + Extension | 1-year warranty Upway s + bundle leasing |
| Environmental Impact | New Production | A Second Life, Fewer Raw Materials |
Hanna's tip: Don't just ask your employer if there's a bike- leasing plan—also ask if refurbished bikes are eligible. Many HR departments are still unaware that circular e leasing is an option. A simple email could significantly lower your monthly payment.
Conclusion: Is the Cyclis " leasing " the best option in Belgium?
If your employer offers you the option to lease an e-bike through Cyclis Bike Le leasing , in 95% of cases this is the most cost-effective way to ride the bike of your dreams. The tax benefit is simply too significant to ignore, and the all-inclusive package with insurance and roadside assistance offers real peace of mind.
Do you really want to make the smartest choice? Then go for a circular- leasing cycle fromUpway through the Cyclis network. You’ll save even more on your monthly payment, ride a top-of-the-line bike that’s available right away, and actively contribute to a more sustainable planet by giving an electric bike a well-deserved second life. And if you’d rather end the contract early, our article on ending a leasing bike lease details all your options.
Frequently asked questions
1. How much will I actually save compared to buying it privately?
On average, the gross-salary exchange program saves you up to 40% on the total cost of your electric bike. For a €3,000 bike, you’ll pay approximately €2,335 net over 3 years, including all-inclusive service and buyback. That’s €665 less than a private cash purchase.
2. What happens when the " leasing " contract ends?
After the 3-year period, you’re completely free to do as you please. You can buy the e-bike at the residual value agreed upon in advance (usually 20%). Would you prefer a different model? You can return the bike at no cost and immediately start a new contract with a different bike at new or refurbished.
3. Can I choose any brand and any type of bike at Cyclis Bike Lease?
Yes. Cyclis Bike Lease partners with more than 3,000 bike retailers in Belgium, giving you access to virtually every brand and model. Whether it’s a sport gravel bike, a cargo bike, or a speed pedelec —anything is possible. Even online-only brands like Canyon and chains like Decathlon are included.
4. What is the " leasing " circular bike, and is it reliable?
With the Circular leasing , you can rent a high-quality used e-bike, refurbished , serviced by professionals. The bikes are no more than 4 years old, have less than 10,000 km on the odometer, and come with a guaranteed battery capacity of at least 80%. Thanks to the thorough inspection performed by experts and the included one-year warranty, the Circular leasing is just as reliable as a leasing new , but more affordable and available immediately.
5. Are accessories such as a Helmet or saddlebags also tax-deductible?
Yes. Functional accessories such as an approved Helmet , saddlebags, an additional lock, or even rain gear can be included in the offer and the monthly payment from leasing. This allows you to enjoy the same tax benefit on these accessories. Clothing (excluding safety gear) and items such as indoor trainers or bike racks are legally excluded.
Written by: Hanna Stevens | Published on: September 3, 2026 | 10-minute read
About the Author: Hanna Stevens
Hanna is a cycling enthusiast who loves discovering new routes and sharing her experiences to inspire more people to get around by bike.