In this article

Why lease a bike instead of buying it?

28/08/2025

Bike leasing is winning over more and more employees and companies, and for good reason: between predictable costs, included maintenance and tax benefits, it stands out as a far more advantageous alternative to a classic purchase. Wondering if bike leasing can really be more beneficial than simply buying? Great question! In this article, we give you all the keys to better understand.

Savings of up to 40%

When you lease a bike, a portion of your gross salary is used to cover the monthly leasing cost. Since the payment is deducted from your gross wage rather than your net wage, you end up paying significantly less.

In total, you can save up to 40% compared to buying a bike privately. Take a look at this example:

Bike leasing (bike value : €3,000) Amount
Monthly lease payment €129 incl. VAT
Duration 36 months
Included Bike + insurance + roadside assistance + maintenance (€300) + Cyclis services
Gross salary reduction €86/months
Net salary reduction €48/months
Total cost (after 3 yers) €1,728
Purchase + €600 (20% of its residual value)
Final price €2,328

*All these amounts are given as an indication only, to provide you with a general overview of your lease financing. The calculation above is based on an e-bike with a residual value of €3,000. Your leasing offer will depend on the type of bike you choose, its catalogue price, as well as your employment situation.

Suppose you choose an e-bike with a catalogue value of €3,000. This is roughly equivalent to a lease price of €129 / month, VAT included.

Since your gross salary is reduced in this way, your employer pays a lower social security contribution, and passes this saving on to you, bringing your monthly contribution down from €129/month to only €86/month (gross).

But that’s not all: since the amount is deducted from your gross salary, you also pay less social security contributions. Those €86/month (gross) therefore represent only €48/month (net).

After three years, you will have paid only €1,728 for the bike, insurance, maintenance budget (worth €300), and roadside assistance. What if you decide, after three years, to buy the bike? In that case, you will pay 20% of its residual value. In the end, the bike is yours for €2,328.

If you had purchased your bike directly, you would have paid €3,000 from your net salary. That’s a difference of €672: a significant saving! Not to mention that, with a purchase, you wouldn’t have had a maintenance budget, insurance, or roadside assistance. In other words, far less advantageous than a leased bike!

Please feel free to use our calculator to make your own simulation.

All-inclusive lease package

Unlike a purchase, you will also enjoy the following convenient services when leasing a bike.

  • A personalised maintenance budget: How often your bike needs servicing and how much this costs depends on the type of bike and how intensively you use it. Fortunately, maintenance is also tax-efficient, as it is included in the monthly lease price. At the start of the lease contract, you choose how much you want to spend on maintenance over the lease period. This amount can vary between €300 and €1,200. Your local bike dealer can advise you on the right maintenance budget.
  • Damage and theft insurance: Cyclis Bike Lease insures your bike for three years against damage and theft throughout Europe.
  • Roadside assistance: What if you break down en route? Unfortunately, this is always a possibility. You will receive a customer service number from VAB that you can call at any time. They are standing by, day and night, across the Benelux.
  • 24/7 customer service: We are available every day to assist with all your questions. That way, you can truly ride with complete peace of mind.
  • Extra year of warranty: Cyclis Bike Lease provides an extra year’s warranty on top of the standard two-year warranty.

Instalment payments

A huge advantage, if you ask us! An e-bike costs an average of €3,000. A speed pedelec can easily cost twice as much. A hefty chunk of your budget, if you have to come up with this all at once. With leasing, you spread the payment over three years. So, buying your dream bike won’t have such an impact on your wallet!

Unlimited options

Bike leasing at Cyclis Bike Lease means you have unlimited choices. Thanks to our cooperation with more than 3,000 local bike dealers, we can offer every brand and model. You can even choose online brands, such as Canyon and Cowboy.

Accessories of your choice

Good news! Bike leasing is not limited to just “bike” leasing. It also includes leasing the accompanying accessories*. Because what’s an e-bike without a pannier? Or a sports bike without a sturdy helmet? And yes, this is also tax-efficient, because the cost of the accessories is included in the lease price!

*excl. bicycle clothing, shoes, and bike carriers

Conclusion

Thanks to the tax benefits, leasing a bike costs up to 40% less than buying one privately. And beyond these savings, you also benefit from included services such as insurance, roadside assistance and a personalised maintenance budget. On top of that, you don’t have to pay the full amount upfront. The cost of your bike and accessories is spread over three years. Finally, all bikes are eligible for leasing. Thanks to our network of over 3,000 local bike dealers, every brand and every model is within your reach!

Convinced?

Discover the different types of bikes available for leasing and choose the one that best suits your style and needs:

 

Do you want to be the most
informed cyclist?
Subscribe to our newsletter.

Subscribe and, like 2000+ cyclists, receive all the
cycling news, tips and inspiration.
And no fear, we don’t like spam either!