Free Bikes schemes address the most significant barrier to cycling: cost.
Many cycling interventions, such as improved cycle infrastructure or behaviour change campaigns, overlook the fact that some people cannot experience the well-evidenced health, wellbeing, and economic benefits of cycling, if they cannot afford a bike.
By providing a quality bicycle – alongside tailored support such as cycle training, basic maintenance skills, and access to bespoke and group rides – we can not only increase cycling among underrepresented groups but also boost the health and wellbeing of people who are less likely to be active.
Deep-seated inequalities require a radical and compassionate intervention
A brand-new, Raleigh bike is given to a person who otherwise would not be able to afford to buy one themselves, removing the barrier of affordability. The bike loan includes a lock, stand, pump and helmet. Bikes are fitted with either a GPS tracker or participants download a mobile app to monitor their usage, as well as collecting data on how the bike is used (frequency and duration), active minutes, origin, and destination data.
Participants are fully supported in their journey of forming a new habit in cycling. Each project offers wraparound support, including training sessions, bike maintenance, bespoke ride sessions, and social rides. The wraparound support is an essential component of the schemes as it helps provide motivation as well as build confidence and competence when cycling.
Staff retention and support in hospitals
Alongside community models, we also work with sustainability and staff support teams in NHS Trusts to offer staff (Bands 2-4) a Free Bike. The programme is designed to make commuting healthier, more affordable, and more environmentally friendly.
The hospital pilots seek to meet the need of lower-income staff where existing benefits, such as the Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme, would limit their take-home salary – sometimes to below minimum wage. After a successful pilot in Basildon, Essex, an additional pilot has begun at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.
