IN the aftermath of the Christmas and New Year festivities we all seem to have less spare cash kicking around, especially me.

Oxfordshire councils have been announcing cuts in their spending and if the big boys are broke what hope is there for the rest of us?

However, despite my dwindling pot of gold I am still dreaming of a new city bike, a new mountain bike and a new folding bike.

I suppose I’m lucky that my staff discount will soften the blow a little bit, but it’s still madness when I have a horrendous phone bill, nothing in the fridge and still have the lovely surprise of this quarter’s gas bill to come.

But even in my utter monetary madness I still believe having a bike for every occasion is well worth it.

For example if I have a nice folding bike sat in the cupboard patiently waiting for an outing, I will forsake the Tube on London visits and get to know the London routes a bit better. Or, if I get the full suspension mountain bike I have been dreaming of for years, I will never say no to an after work Ridgeway ride again.

I know a new bike is probably not high on everyone’s list of priorities at this time of year – like most of the UK, if I could I would spend my last pennies on a long haul flight somewhere hot and spend a week sipping cocktails in a lovely infinity pool while developing a tan deep enough for people to mistake me for a local.

Instead of the holiday I am setting a bike budget. But how much should you spend on a new bike?

It’s wise to spend as much as you can but you can also get one free if needs must. I have seen many a bike hauled out of a skip in near immaculate condition.

Failing that, get it second hand. Just make sure you know your stuff – good paint work doesn’t mean the bearings are still intact.

Get your second hander from your local bike shop if you want it to go more than the mile back to your place.

If, unlike me, you’re still a bit flush after turning your back on January nights out in the name of detox, take advantage of the ongoing January sales. Your local bike shop will be dying to get rid of last year’s old stock.

But if you’re reading this and you have more money than sense, guys, go get the carbon fibre race bike you have been dreaming of; it will make you more attractive I promise, or, girls, why not put your name on the waiting list with the celebrities and purchase a designer bike. I am not kidding; Gucci, Hermes and Chanel have all produced haute couture cycles.

Whatever your budget, get a new bike. It will revitalise your commute or shopping run.

I will certainly be clocking up more miles this year because of my new purchases and if there are more of us cycling around Oxfordshire it might just make those councils reassess their pesky budgets and spend more on our cycling facilities.