Thursday, 28 March 2024
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Second Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme offers £50 toward 20,000 repairs

Cycling UK will now administer a second phase Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme, which will offer 20,000 people the chance to kick start the repair process with a £50 voucher.

The first phase of the scheme ran between August 2020 to May 2021, when 31,562 repairs were carried out by 332 cycle repair providers across Scotland. 77% of participants used their repaired cycles for journeys previously done by car, showing that with support more people would use a bike for short everyday trips.

Almost 200 bike shops are already signed up to second phase scheme, which is funded by the Scottish Government. Those yet to apply to handle the vouchers can do so here.

Suzanne Forup, Cycling UK’s head of development for Scotland, said: “This scheme will once more fix the nation’s flat tyres and loose brakes, to get people pedalling again. Finances are tight for many people at the moment, so the scheme is targeted at people who can’t easily afford to get their bikes fixed up.

“Whether it’s popping to the shops or commuting to work, cycling boosts people’s physical health, wellbeing and saves them cash. It’s also a low carbon form of transport, tackling climate change and helping Scotland meet our NetZero ambitions as Glasgow hosts COP26 this week. We want to make sure these benefits are available to as many people as possible.

“The scheme has been a huge success previously – getting thousands of people cycling and supporting hundreds of Scottish businesses – so we’re delighted to bring it back.”

All cycles are welcome in the scheme, including adults’ and children’s bikes, e-bikes and non-standard cycles such as trikes, tandems, cargo bikes and recumbents. People who use manual wheelchairs are also eligible to access free repairs. Up to £100 is available for non-standard cycle repairs.

Minister for Active Travel, Patrick Harvie, added: “We need to reduce car use and make it easier for people to choose walking, wheeling and public transport. The new funding for the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme by Cycling UK is just one way that we’re helping people do that and it is welcome that the scheme has already supported over 31,000 repairs so far.”

In England a similar scheme ended last year with 80% of the budget directly spent on the vouchers and the DfT telling CI.N that pop up initiatives accounted for the remainder of spend.