Yes, in most cases you can claim it as a business expense. Just check with your accountant.
Why rent a bike as a freelancer?
Buying an electric bike sounds tempting, but the price... you've got to save up for a while! Especially when you're self-employed and already have a lot of fixed costs. Fortunately, there's another option:leasing an electric bike. Is it better than buying? In this blog, I explain everything you need to know about bikeleasing for the self-employed.
What is bicycle leasing for the self-employed?
It's really quite simple. You pay a fixed amount every month and you get an e-bike, without having to pay a large sum of money up front. Most packages already include maintenance, insurance and breakdown assistance. So no nasty surprises if something breaks.
I especially appreciate the fact that :
- You don't have to come up with a large sum all at once.
- You know exactly how much you're spending each month.
- There are no unexpected costs.
Benefits in practice
Easier financially
You spread the cost around and know exactly what it's costing you. Assistance, insurance and maintenance are often included in the price. What's more, it's tax-efficient: in many cases, you can deduct the amount as a business expense. For me, it's a real relief: I don't have to keep recalculating my budget.
Choose what's right for you
Whether you need a city bike, speed pedelec or MTB, at Upway you can even choose from reconditioned e-bikes. It's not only cheaper, it's also more durable.
Riding with peace of mind
It's really reassuring that maintenance and assistance are included. I once had a breakdown and was back on the road in less than a day. No time wasted looking for a repairer: everything is managed via the leasing company.
Known partners: Joule and Lease a Bike
At Upway, you can use partners like Joule and Lease a Bike. Joule stands out for its transparency and support, a real relief after more rigid contracts. Lease a Bike is very present and offers a wide choice, including electric city bikes and speed pedelecs. We also have a partnership with o2o.
Want to find out more? Take a look at Upway's leasing page, where you'll find all the options for reconditioned bikes. Find out more about the collaboration between Lease a Bike and Upway.
Buying or renting: what's the best option?
If you plan to use your bike intensively for years to come, and don't mind the maintenance, buying it is a good solution. But if you don't want to tie up a lot of capital and are looking for comfort above all, then leasing is ideal. In the long run, you may pay a little more, but in exchange you gain in flexibility and peace of mind. For me, the decisive argument was clear: no big investment and no unexpected costs.
My personal experience
When I replaced my car with an e-bike leasing through Joule, I immediately noticed how much faster I could get to my customers. No more parking fees, no more stress in traffic jams. And those fixed monthly costs seemed a lot lighter than one big bill all at once.
Frequently asked questions
Is bicycle leasing tax-deductible?
Can I also rent a used electric bike?
Of course, thanks toUpway 's partners, you can rent reconditioned bikes. It's economical and sustainable!
What happens at the end of my leasing contract?
Often, you can choose to buy the bike back, sign a new contract or simply return it.
Are maintenance and insurance included?
With most leasing companies, maintenance, insurance and assistance are included in the monthly fee.