MTCW


Revised Implementation Plan and Action Plan:Grant for the purchase of a new bicycle for the Season 2022-2023


Please read the information below before applying



The Council of Ministers with its Decision number 92.006 dated 15.10.2021 approved the Incentive Plan for the purchase of a Bicycle for the period 2021-2023.
The first announcement of the Incentive Plan was made in the Second Semester of 2021 and had more interest than expected since more than 8000 applications had been submitted in the first hours of the application process alone.
Based on the experiences of the first announcement of the Plan and with the aim of ensuring the accessibility of a larger portion of citizens to submit and approve an application for the purchase of a bicycle, the present revised Plan of Incentives for the purchase of a bicycle was formed.
The design and implementation plan details are presented below.

    A. Competent body of the Grant Scheme for the purchase of a new bicycle for the Period 2022-2023:
    Ministry of Transport Communications and Works.

    Other Actions:

    ● in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, the application process will be implemented in:

    - an information system / platform in which the applications of people wishing to receive a bicycle purchase subsidy will be submitted electronically and
    - a website in which all the actions of the Action Plan to Promote the Use of Bicycles for the Period 2022 – 2023 will be displayed and promoted ( http ://www.podilato.gov.cy/ )

    ● in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, an evaluation of beneficiaries will be carried out based on the socio-economic criteria of the project.
    ● the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works (MTCW) will evaluate the applications and check the supporting documents and expenditure documents required for the payment of the subsidies,
    ● the Public Works Department of the MTCW, will ensure that the Incentive Plan file is maintained for a period of 5 years,
    ● the Department of Public Works of the MTCW, will manage and supervise an information and information office (Help Desk) for the information/guidance of those interested.
    ● the Department of Public Works of the MTCW, will monitor the progress of the Plan's implementation and will inform the Directorate of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works accordingly.



      B. Complaints Management and Examination Teams:

    1) During the period of Submission of applications and control of Socio-Economic criteria:

    The management and examination of any objections when submitting an application and rejection due to socio-economic criteria will be done by a group of authorized persons that will be made up of representatives of the departments of the Deputy Ministry of Welfare and Social Integration and Representatives of Departments/Divisions of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.

    2) During examination of submitted documents after the deadline for the applications for approval:
    The management and examination of any objections will be carried out by a group of authorized persons made up of representatives of the following Departments/Directorates of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works:
    a. Accounting and Financial Management Department
    b. Control Directorate
    c. Administration



      C. Implementation Plan, Credits and Amount of Subsidy per type of Action:


      For 2022 the total budget of 200,000 euros will be distributed as follows:


    (a) Purchase of a new / non-electric bicycle €180,000
    (b) Purchase of a type of bicycle for the disabled €20,000

    In case there is not enough interest for any of the above points of the incentive plan [ (a) or (b) bicycle category ] there will be the possibility of transferring any remaining amount to the other category.

    Amount of Subsidy:

    4. For the purchase of a new bicycle, the maximum subsidy amount will be €200 or the actual purchase price of the bicycle, whichever is lower.
    5. For the purchase of a type of bicycle for the disabled, the maximum subsidy amount will be €800 or the actual purchase price of the bicycle, whichever is lower.

    The amount of the subsidy will be calculated based on the purchase price including VAT.


      D. Subsidy Beneficiaries:

    Cypriots, Europeans and citizens of third countries who reside permanently in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, are 18 years of age or older and fall within the socio-economic criteria presented in Paragraph E.

    Permanent residents are considered:
    o Cypriot citizens with permanent residence in the Republic of Cyprus
    o European citizens and their family members who secured a registration card (Yellow Slip)
    o Citizens of the United Kingdom subject to the Withdrawal Agreement
    o Third-country citizens, family members of a Cypriot citizen
    o Long-term resident third-country citizens
    o Citizens of third countries with an immigration permit
    o Citizens of third countries with recognized refugee status



      E. Socio-Economic Plan Criteria:

    1. To buy a new / non - electric bike:
    a. Beneficiaries of the minimum guaranteed income provided by the Welfare Benefits Management Service of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.
    b. Recipients of public assistance provided by the Social Welfare Services of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.
    c. Recipients of the pensioner's benefit with low incomes provided by the Welfare Benefits Administration Service of the Under-Secretary of Social Welfare and has the meaning ascribed to that term in accordance with the Low-Income Pensioners Assistance Scheme, as amended or replaced in accordance with the respective Decisions of the Council of Ministers.
    d. Family Units with dependent children as defined in the Child Allowance Provision Legislation of 2002 (Law 167(I)/2002):

    i. who have one (1) dependent child and have an annual gross mixed income of up to €19,500 and receive child benefit.
    ii. who have two (2) dependent children and have annual gross mixed incomes up to €39,000 and receive child benefit.
    iii. who have three (3) or more dependent children and have an annual gross income of up to €49,000 and receive child benefit.

    2. To purchase a type of bicycle for the disabled:

    Holders of a European Disability card or upon presentation of a certificate from the evaluation committee of the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities

    · Applicants who took advantage of the Bicycle Grant Plan for the period 2021 and have received a grant will be automatically excluded from the application system for 2022 and 2023.
    · During the validity of the Action Plan 2021 – 2023 each beneficiary is entitled to a grant of one bicycle on which does not exceed the purchase cost of €1,000 including VAT for city, road and mountain types, while for disabled bikes the purchase cost does not exceed €4,000 including VAT.


      F. Eligible Bicycles

    1. City Bikes
    2. Road Bikes
    3. Mountain Bikes
    4. Types of Bikes for the Disabled




      G. Minimum Specifications

    1. City, Road and Mountain Bikes

    According to Article 5 of the 2018 Bicycle Traffic Regulation Law (19(I)/2018), the bicycle should meet the minimum specifications below:

    (a) Two (2) independent brake systems, of which the one to operate on the front wheel and the other on the rear wheel of the bicycle:
    It is provided that, in the case of a tricycle, quadricycle or other type of bicycle, when it is imported into the Republic or manufactured or assembled, it should have a system or braking systems capable or capable of stopping it at a reasonable distance from their point of activation.
    (b)a lamp of white or yellow light permanently or temporarily fitted to the front of the bicycle, which is visible from a distance of not less than one hundred and fifty (150) meters.
    (c) fixed or flashing red light on the back of the bicycle which is visible from a distance of not less than one hundred and fifty (150) meters:
    Placement on the back of the bicycle of a reflector or reflectors of red color, additional to the lamp.
    (d) reflectors placed in such a way as to reflect light towards the two (2) sides of the bicycle.
    (e)a special bicycle bell, suitable so that the sound produced during its use can be perceived at a sufficient distance, but does not carry any other sound warning device.


    2. Types of Bicycles for the Disableda) What is written in paragraph H1 above applies.
    b) It is understood that the types of bicycles for the disabled should be bicycles that alleviate any form of deficiency or disadvantage of the disabled person (tricycles, double-tandem bicycle, handcycles, wheelchair transport bicycle). Any types of disabled bicycles not described above will require approval from the Sustainable Mobility Branch of the Department of Public Works and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.
    * It is noted that in case of approval of a permitted type of bicycle for the disabled that is not listed above, it must be submitted before the end of the application period.

      H. Application Procedure:

    5. Applications will be accepted through the electronic system until the application deadline set by the Actions Management Team (for a period of two weeks). The applications will be examined on the basis of the criteria of the plan in collaboration with representatives of Departments of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and those that meet the conditions will be classified among the applications to be approved.

    6. There will be a period of 10 days from the end date of the application submission period to submit random objections regarding socio-economic criteria to the Objection Evaluation Committee as described in Paragraph 2.A.
    7. In case there is a lot of interest, beyond the predetermined number of applications, an electronic lottery will be held, which for transparency purposes will be carried out electronically, using an application designed to process a fair lottery, in a live broadcast.

    I. When submitting an Application for Grant Approval through the platform, the following information will be requested:

    Details of the applicant:
    · Name
    · Address and Postal Code
    · Telephone Number
    · E-mail address
    · Identity Card Number
    · In case of a disability, the number of the European Disability Card or a certificate from the evaluation committee of the Department of Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities should be entered.
    · Selection of the Category of Socio-Economic Criteria to which the applicant falls (One of the aforementioned in Paragraph E.1.

    Evidence:
    · For foreign nationals and citizens of 3rd countries residing permanently in the Republic of Cyprus, one of the following:
    European citizens and their family members – Registration Slip MEU1, MEU2 and MEU3 (Yellow Slip)
    Citizens of the United Kingdom subject to the Withdrawal Agreement - Registration Slip MUKW1, MUKW2 and MUKW3
    Third-country citizens, family members of a Cypriot citizen: valid residence permit of a Cypriot citizen family member – CY
    Third-country citizens, long-term residents – Valid Long Term Permit - LT
    Third-country citizens with an immigration permit - Valid Immigration Permit - IP
    Third-country citizens with recognized refugee status - Valid Permit of residence for Recognized Refugee – IPA

    · Cypriot Citizens, one of the following:
    ▪ Copy of the Cypriot Identity Card or
    ▪ Copy of Passport.

    · Checkbox of acceptance/consent that the granting of the amount will only be approved if the purchase cost of the road, city and mountain bike does not exceed €1,000 including VAT, while for purchases of a type of bicycle for the disabled people not exceeding €4,000 including VAT regardless of whether there is an application approval.
    · Declaration that the above information is true and authorization to verify it.
    Consent to use the applicant's personal information for the purposes of processing the application.
    Consent to present the Personal Data of the applicants to the relevant Department of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare for checking the Socio-Economic Criteria.




    K. Evaluation of Applications

    The evaluation of the applications will be done by the team determined by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and the approval or rejection code will be sent through the platform by SMS or email. In case of rejection, the applicant should also be informed of the reason for rejection. The authorization code will be valid for a period of approximately 2 months from the first day of eligibility to apply. Period during which the applicant must purchase the bicycle. The authorization code will be unique and linked to one application only.


    L. Submission of Details and Documents through the platform to secure the subsidy from the buyer after the purchase of the bicycle:

    8. Bicycle supplier's invoice which will include:

    · Supplier details (name and company registration number, tax identification number, company address and contact details)
    · Buyer details (name, address and contact details)
    · Bicycle type and sales price including VAT

    9. Bike specifications from the point of sale, to confirm that it meets the minimum required specifications
    10. Proof of invoice payment

    · Supplier details (name and company registration number, tax identification number, company address and contact details)
    · Buyer details (name, address and contact details)
    · Bicycle type and sales price including VAT

    · Photo of a Bicycle
    · Formal Declaration
    · Formal declaration of the supplier and buyer certifying that the bicycle meets the provisions of Article 5 of the 2018 Bicycle Traffic Regulation Law (19(I)/2018). A relevant form should be prepared.
    · Formal Declaration that the above information is true and authorization to verify it, as well as consent to use the applicant's personal information for the purposes of the application.

    → The invoice payment receipt date should be after the date of approval for bicycle purchase subsidy.
    → The invoice and proof of payment should be issued in the name of the applicant / beneficiary.
    → In case of non-use and expiry of the deadline for submitting supporting documents in pre-approved applications, it should not exclude the beneficiary from submitting an application with the new plan.
    → The last date for submission of the above information and documents through the platform for payment of the subsidy will be set by the competent Management Team of the General Plan actions.

    → It is noted that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works may, where it deems appropriate, request additional supporting documents for the examination of the subsidy.


    M. Evaluation of Data and Documents for Subsidy Payment

    The evaluation of the data and documents for the payment of the subsidy will be done through the platform by the evaluation team of the applications of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works. Upon completion of the evaluation, the MTCW Accounting Office will be informed so that it, in turn, proceeds with the payment of the subsidies.
    By informing the accounting office for the payment of the subsidy, the participation of the said beneficiary applicants from the 2022 and 2023 subsidy plans should be automatically excluded from the system.

    N. Submission of Bank Account Details


    · A completed and signed Authorization for Payments from FIMAS must be submitted (in case this has not been submitted in the past, which must necessarily be accompanied by a photocopy of part of the bank account statement or a certificate from the Bank, in which the name of the Bank, the owner/beneficiary of the account and the International Bank Account Number (IBAN-International Bank Account Number) are presented, to confirm the information that will be written in the authorization in question. Provided that the bank account will be in the name of the beneficiary .

    → The last date for submitting the above details of the Bank Account for payment of the subsidy will be set by the competent Management Team of the General Plan actions.
    → The details of the Bank Accounts should be submitted by hand or by post by registered letter or by private courier, to the address below
    Sustainable Mobility, Public Works Department
    165 Strovolos Avenue,
    2048, Strovolos
    Nicosia


    X. Taking into account the above, the procedure for expressing interest in participating in the actions in question is as follows:

    1) Declaration of interest to participate in the Plan through the Platform that will be created for this purpose. All items and forms of evidence described in Paragraph G shall be declared and attached at this stage. Incomplete applications or applications without the required documents will not be accepted by the system. When submitting the application, it will be emphasized that no supporting documents will be accepted retrospectively and after the final submission of the application.

    Applications will be accepted if they meet the beneficiary criteria and if they are submitted within the predetermined time period that will be set by the competent Management Team of the General Plan actions or until the annual available fund is exhausted. Late applications or applications that do not meet the criteria will be rejected.

    2) At the end of the application period, a check will be carried out by the competent department of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare whether the applicants meet the criteria of the plan. Under the control of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, pre-approved applications will be drawn using an online application for application approval and successful applicants will receive approval to purchase and submit the information listed in Paragraph H.
    3) Upon submission and approval of an application by the Action Management Team, the applicant will receive an automated message to his email/or mobile phone with his approval code, which he will be able to use to purchase a bicycle. The authorization code will be sent through the platform and will be valid for a period of approximately 2 months from the first day of eligibility to apply
    If the application is not approved, the applicant will receive an automated message in the same way with the reason for rejection.

    The order of examination of the subsidy applications will be based on the serial number that will be determined based on the date and time of submission of the application.

    4) After purchasing the bicycle, the beneficiaries must submit through the platform all the data and documents required under paragraph I to secure the subsidy.


    The last date for submission of the data and documents required under paragraph I through the platform for payment of the subsidy will be set by the competent Management Team of the General Plan Actions.

    5) The details of the bank accounts required under paragraph K should be submitted by hand or by registered mail or by private courier, to the address below:
    Sustainable Mobility, Department of Public Works
    165 Strovolos Avenue,
    2048, Strovolos, Nicosia

    6) The evaluation of the data and documents to secure the subsidies as described in Paragraph I will be done by the evaluation team of the applications of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works. Upon completion of each evaluation, a list of evaluated applications will be completed where it will be updated automatically through the platform and will be sent for payment of subsidies by the MTCW Accounting Office.
    Upon informing the accounting office for payment of the subsidy, the approved applicant will automatically be excluded from the system from participating in the 2023 subsidy plan.

    7) Applicants who were approved but did not purchase a bicycle or purchased a bicycle and did not submit the information and documents within the prescribed time frames will lose the opportunity for a subsidy. They will however be able to re-apply with the process to be announced next year, 2023. This should be recognized by the system – ie the code should be linked to the applicant so that those who used the code are barred from following years while those who did not use the code they secured have the possibility to apply again.

    It is noted that under no circumstances will the beneficiary be able to grant his subsidy right to another person. To ensure this, it will be checked that the invoice and proof of payment have been issued to the applicant / beneficiary.

    In order to complete the application submission process, the part with the applicant's "Formal Declaration" that the information entered is true must be selected.

    Also, in order to complete the process of submitting the application, the checkbox where the applicant gives his consent for the use of his personal information should be selected.

    It is noted that the declaration of false information is a criminal offence.

    There will also be a footnote that "The management and processing of personal data will be done securely and confidentially and will be subject to the relevant provisions of the Processing of Personal Data (Protection of the Individual) Law, L.138(I)/2001.


    O. Interpretations – Institutions – Amendments

    1) The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, after a recommendation from the competent Department, interprets, completes and modifies where a justified problem arises, the terms and provisions of the Plan that facilitate its implementation.

    2) Applicants' information may be used by MTCW for research purposes in matters related to ensuring road safety and promoting sustainable mobility.


    P. In general

    For more information, those interested can contact the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works or the Sustainable Mobility, Department of Public Works telephone number 22806647 and email address podilato@mcw.gov.cy or refer to the website of the General Action Plan to Promote the Use of the Bicycle for the Period 2021 – 2023 www.podilato.gov.cy .