Second-Hand Benefit Bikes: Affordable and Sustainable

Have you considered purchasing a pre-owned benefit bicycle? It might seem unusual since benefit bikes typically offer access to pricier, brand-new models. In this blog post, we delve into the story of the Vapaus Precycled concept and explore why opting for a used bike might be the most sensible decision for you.

From One Rider to Another

Benefit bike contracts always have an expiration date: either after the period initially agreed upon with the leasing partner, or sometimes earlier.

We understood from the beginning that individuals' working and life situations are always changing. It is a natural and continuous phenomenon in working life. That leads to the fact that employees want to redeem or return their benefit bikes before the leasing period ends.

From the start, we've believed that one person's old benefit bike could become another's new dream ride. We also do not want to be an obstacle to individuals' or organizations' life changes, which is why, as a Vapaus customer you can return your bike to us anytime and for any reason with a fixed return fee.

The story behind Precycled started in 2021 almost at the same time when COVID-19 hit the bike industry harder than ever before.

In the summer of 2021, we chose to breathe new life into the first returned used benefit bikes. Additionally, an increasing number of people were becoming conscious of their natural resource consumption and environmental impact, prompting inquiries about purchasing a used bike as a benefit bike.

At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the bicycle industry, leading to a surge in demand during lockdowns as people sought alternative transportation and recreational activities. This sudden increase resulted in supply chain disruptions and inventory shortages in the bike shops. With high-quality serviced recycled bicycles, in other words, through our Precycled concept, we successfully addressed both the demand and the sustainability needs of individuals.

We released the first batch of second-hand bikes serviced by our mechanics for sale in September 2021! ♻️ Check the historical launching post here.

The foundation of the Precycled business lies in returned bikes: we carefully assess their condition, allowing us to offer them again to the employees of our corporate clients.

Precycled bikes are delivered directly from our stock and include a 12-month warranty regardless of their manufacturing year. If you get the Precycled bike as a benefit bike the leasing contract has the same terms of service that your colleagues have with the brand new benefit bikes.

You can ride worry-free.

Sustainability Meets Smart Choices

The difference between Precycled and new bikes is simple and clear. These bikes come second-hand, meaning that there are some marks and signs of wear. But no worries: we check each Precycled bike and make sure that they are fully functional.

The condition of the Precycled bikes varies. Having this in mind, we have implemented a "Precycled condition rating", so it is easier for our customers to find what they are looking for. Check the rating here.

‍Precycled bike is always a reasonable choice if price, ecology and availability are important factors in your decision-making process.

The best thing about getting a used bike as a benefit bike is its climate-friendly effect compared to purchasing a new product: you can give a new life to a used bike. A bike’s lifespan is longer than you think, and with regular maintenance, bikes aged even up to 2-3 years are still in excellent condition and rideable for a very long time.

Read the cycling story on how the recycled electric bike fits Katri's eco-friendly lifestyle >>

At the moment, all the returned bikes that we are offering are one to three years old, meaning that the bikes are in really good condition. And since their price tags are lower than those of new ones, you are also saving money.

‍Our selection of Precycled bikes changes continuously, as we list new bikes on the website every week. Right now, there is a wide range of available bikes, from electric mountain bikes to Canyon test ride bikes. 

In addition to Canyon, bike brands from all over the world are for sale, including Cannondale, Trek, Active, Specialized, Kona, Cube, Tunturi, Crescent, Giant, Pelago and many more.

‍Riding for a Better Tomorrow

Since Vapaus was established, we have wanted our business to have an overall positive impact on the world. We are committed to fostering a low-carbon future through our benefit bike service, and our Precycled second-hand bikes - by prolonging the lifespan of our bikes - are a significant step towards amplifying that impact.

Check our selection on precycled.io and give a new life to a high-quality, refurbished bike. ‍💚

PS. Precycled bikes are also available for direct purchase, meaning any second-hand Precycled bike can be purchased directly from our webshop, without opting for the employee bike benefit.‍