Cycling in Lanarkshire has seen an explosion in popularity with a 44% increase in people taking to two wheels since COVID-19 restrictions were first introduced.
Throughout 2020, NHS Lanarkshire partnered with various local retailers and community organisations to support local access to maintenance support and second-hand bikes, as well as free bike loans for NHS Lanarkshire staff.
With coronavirus restrictions putting a stop to many activities, an emerging trend was the noticeable increase in cycling. Due to this, demand and cost for bikes increased, which meant families on lower incomes may have struggled to purchase their own.
In an effort to tackle this issue and help people boost their physical and mental health, NHS Lanarkshire’s Health Improvement Team reviewed various avenues to improve access to bikes for both NHS Lanarkshire staff and the wider community.
Initially, partnering with a number of local retailers, this allowed for free bike loans for NHS Lanarkshire staff. As well as the promotion of Cycling UK’s Bicycle Repair Scheme, to support residents to access free bike maintenance support.
Further efforts to close the equality gap led to The Bike Amnesty Appeal, which included the rehoming of pre-loved bicycles in collaboration with North Lanarkshire’s Restorative Justice. The appeal received more than 70 bike donations in total, mainly from NHS Lanarkshire staff, ranging from children to adult bicycles.
The Restorative Justice Team serviced the bikes ready for their new owners, and supplied them to local residents who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to access a bike.
Paul Wright, Health Improvement Senior – Active Travel, NHS Lanarkshire said: “We were keen to encourage people to get out on their bikes, but knew there was a proportion of individuals and families didn’t have the means. In an effort to tackle this, we asked our staff if they had the ability to donate any bicycles they may have had spare, and the response was incredible. We were delighted to support residents to own their own bike.”
Jim Curtis, Service Manager, Restorative Justice added: “We have been providing a bicycle rehoming service for some time. The link with NHS Lanarkshire was hugely welcome during a time of unprecedented demand. The reaction from people receiving a bike on the lead up to Christmas is proof of how valuable this service is.”
Further investment from the Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership allowed for helmets, lights and locks to be provided with some of these rehomed bicycles.
Marie McKeown, Partnership Manager, Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership commented: “We are delighted to support this initiative which supports more people to access the physical and mental health benefits of being active outdoors.
