DfT publishes successful e-Cycle extension fund bids

The Department for Transport has released information on the successful applications made to the e-Cycle extension fund revenue competition.

The data released includes the names of the winning local authorities, the amount awarded by the Department for Transport and the description of the pilot scheme the money will fund.

The grant data shows that Birmingham City Council was awarded £190,000 to increase the availability of e-Cycles and adapted e-Cycles in the City through a range of providers. These providers include West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme; Active Wellbeing Society; Bike Brum and Midland Mencap.

Devon County Council was awarded £124,617 to expand its existing on street electric cycle hire network. Similarly, Kent County Council received £87,800 for the expansion of existing e-cycle training and establishment of additional training hubs and Plymouth City Council has been awarded £59,835.

Furthermore, the Isle of White Council was awarded £132,920 to aid in its provision of e-cycle loans and subsidised e-cycle hire across the Isle of Wight.

Leicester City Council and Norfolk City Council were both awarded £250,000, according to the release. Leicester will use this funding for its e-Cycle outreach programme in market towns and to help with the extension of Leicester City Council Wheels to Work scheme and the Leicester Bike Share Social Inclusion programme. Norfolk City Council will use its £250,000 grant for e-Cycle loans which will focus on building on the existing Cycle Loan Scheme and making adapted e-Cycles and standard e-cycles available through ‘Fun and Fit for All’ disability cycle trial sessions.

The West of England CA was given £247,877 to expand its existing e-Cycle fleet, e-Cycle security promotion and community engagement. Finally, York has been awarded £133,040 for publicity, try-outs and cycling training and discounts to encourage people to purchase e-Cycles.

The success of each scheme is likely to be monitored in order to inform the Government’s future policy decisions in relation to any further e-bike based handouts. While rumour has existed of personal handouts for e-bikes, as is on offer for electric cars and vans, this seems unlikely in the short-term; given the shortage of available stock in the marketplace, plus high demand for what does exist, it would also arguably be ill-timed.