500 free bicycles donated to Birmingham residents in bid to improve social mobility

20 of 500 selected Birmingham residents have collected free bicycles, courtesy of Birmingham City Council’s Big Birmingham Bikes scheme.

The community initiative aims to increase the health and mobility of those who do not have the resources to buy their own bikes.

Between January and March 2022, 380 adult and 120 children’s bicycles will be donated, enabling more families to cycle together.

The Raleigh bicycles will be distributed through The Active Wellbeing Society to people who are already on their waiting list. They will also be received by people who are referred through the Bikes on Prescription scheme.

GPs and social prescribers will identify people who could benefit from cycling, in terms of mental and physical wellbeing, but who lack the resources to buy a bicycle for themselves.

The Active Wellbeing Society will also select suitable candidates from those who attend their ‘learn to cycle’ programmes.

Birmingham City Council’s Travel Demand Manager, Peter Edwards said:

Birmingham City Council is proud to be distributing another batch of Big Birmingham Bikes, building upon its previous success when more than 5,000 were donated; helping to increase Birmingham residents’ mobility and health in an environmentally friendly manner.

Previously, demand exceeded supply so we hope to give these bikes to those who missed out on previous occasions. We hope that they will help people overcome barriers to cycling while encouraging sustainable travel for those who would otherwise be excluded.

The Active Wellbeing Society’s Interim Head of Cycling, Sue Mellor said:

We are delighted to be working in partnership with Birmingham City Council to offer more bikes to those who would benefit the most, to improve their mental and physical wellbeing; offering more opportunities to cycle to those who are usually excluded, enabling the citizens of Birmingham to live more empowered active connected lives.

Anyone who cannot cycle or wants to build their confidence, may attend a supported cycle training programme provided by The Active Wellbeing Society and become involved in the Transport for West Midlands cycle schemes.

Birmingham City Council is receiving £250,000 funding from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund, through Transport for West Midlands, to fund this scheme.