National Free Bikes Network

Free Bikes schemes provide inclusive active travel for people who currently do not cycle because they cannot afford a bike.

What are Free Bike schemes?

Free Bikes schemes are “place-based” initiatives that tackle health inequalities, promote cycle equity, and reduce physical inactivity as well as a way of enhancing active citizenship and boosting community cohesion.

Free Bikes schemes remove the barrier of affordability by providing a free bike – alongside ‘wraparound support’ such as helmets, locks, cycling training, motivation through engagement, and community-led rides – to residents living in the most deprived and underserved areas.

What is the National Free Bikes Network?

Our ambition is to support local authorities and partner organisations to enable more people and places to access the many benefits of cycling through collaboration and community engagement. Through the network, we will share learning and promote best practice, while supporting local partners to innovate and respond to the specific needs of their communities.

Essex Pedal Power team

The National Free Bikes Network will:

  • Share learning from three pilots on how to successfully plan and deliver a free bikes scheme

  • Create a network of partners who want to collaborate to replicate the success of the free bikes schemes across all regions

  • Support the bulk purchase of bikes so that the most advantageous prices can be secured, and the supply chain can be well coordinated to the benefit of partners

Join the National Free Bikes Network

Sign-up with us to hear more about events, latest news and best practices on how to launch a Free Bikes scheme in your area.

Let’s work together!

Creating long-lasting positive change is complex – let’s work together to make it happen.