Free e-bike loans in pilot areas across England: ‘Cycling made e-asy’

Cycling UK has today announced the launch of ‘Cycling made e-asy’ which, from this year into 2023 will offer free e-bike loans in pilot areas across England.

Making e-bikes freely available for people who would not normally consider, or have access to, cycling as a form of transport is the aim of an initiative, backed by up to £8 million of investment from Department for Transport. This enables Cycling UK to roll-out the innovative e-bike pilot programme, which is being launched in five places across England, starting with Greater Manchester.

Supported by an expert consortium of industry partners, Cycling UK will:

• Provide free loans e-bikes, lasting up to 3 months.
• Giving local communities the opportunity to get around by e-bikes, including adapted e-bikes.

Confirmed ‘Cycling made e-asy’ partners, supporting the delivery of the initiative, include Evans Cycles, Raleigh Bikes, Specialized, Tier Mobility, Islabikes, Cycling Projects, Bikeworks, Fusion Media, Modeshift, Cyclescheme, Cycle Confident, Big Issue e-bikes, Bicycle Association, Transport for Quality of Life.

With extensive experience of engaging with underrepresented groups Cycling UK recognises the barriers, challenges and perceptions that can deter people from trying cycling. This programme aims to dispel common myths and build awareness of e-bikes, with a focus on e-bikes enable people of all ages to cycle with assistance, making hills and journeys easier.

• E-bikes will be made available at hubs in each pilot location.
• Branches of Evans Cycles, local community spaces, selected workplaces and education settings will be used to roll out the scheme.

The e-bike programme delivers part of the Prime Minister’s ambitious Cycling and Walking Plan (Gear Change) to boost cycling and walking, with a vision for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030.

Through tried and tested behavioural change models, Cycling UK has the ability to deliver projects and programmes that attract diverse groups and empower communities.

Cycling UK will use their existing local community network of over 400 community cycling organisations to rapidly engage with underrepresented groups and non-regular cyclists to deliver high quality, inclusive, activities. Their behaviour change programmes engage with an average of 51% non-regular cyclists and 27% minority ethnic groups year on year.

Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK’s chief executive said:

“The project is a unique opportunity for Cycling UK to offer free and easy loans of electric cycles to communities across England. Each of our chosen locations will have a variety of e-cycles available to suit a variety of participant’s needs.

“At Cycling UK, we understand that taking the first step to start cycling can be a difficult prospect for many people. This project will allow them to access an e-cycle without obstacles holding them back, to help them make real changes to their travel habits.”

Cycling minister Trudy Harrison said:

“The £8 million we have provided for this scheme will help make cycling the natural first choice for many journeys – a key Government commitment from the Prime Minister’s Walking and Cycling plan.

“I’m grateful to Cycling UK for delivering this scheme on our behalf, giving people across the UK the opportunity to try something new whilst doing good for the planet.”

The scheme commences in Manchester in May 2022 as the first of the pilot locations and will be marked by a high-profile media launch event supported by Evans Cycles. Users will be able to enrol on the scheme via Cycling UK’s website from the 12th of May 2022 or through walk-ins at Evans Cycles and selected community hubs.

For more information, please visit https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycling-made-e-asy

In January of 2022 Cycling UK won a pivotal legal victory against a local authority which had illegally removing a cycle lane, setting a precedent for future management and delivery of active travel infrastructure.