Access Bikes
About Access Bikes
Access Bikes provided funding to community organisations in Scotland to enable more people to experience the joys and benefits of cycling. It aimed to encourage people who were financially struggling to cycle, by removing the barrier of high upfront costs of a bike and providing training and support to enable them to cycle confidently.
The programme offered capital grants to organisations across three funding streams, enabling them to provide cycles and accessories to people experiencing financial hardship in their community.
The funding was designed to support individuals who would not be able to afford to buy a bike themselves, enabling them to experience the benefits of cycling: saving money, helping the environment, giving them more transport choices and improving their health and wellbeing.
Funding stream 1: Main fund
This funding was for community organisations in Scotland that were supporting people who are struggling financially in communities hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis. Eligible groups could apply for a grant to buy bikes and accessories for adults with whom they were working and who would like to get a bike and start cycling.
Cycling UK provided necessary support and advice including introductions to cycle suppliers, guidance on selecting bikes and accessories and help to organise cycle training for participants.
Funding stream 2: Non-standard fund
This funding was for community organisations in Scotland that were supporting disabled people. Eligible groups could apply for a grant to buy non-standard cycles and accessories to benefit adults with whom they were working and who would like to use a bike and start cycling. Cycles were to be owned and maintained by the organisation applying for the grant. Non-standard cycles include tricycles, handcycles, wheelchair attachments and tandems.
Cycling UK provided support and advice including introductions to cycle suppliers and guidance on selecting bikes and accessories.
Funding stream 3: Recycled fund
This funding was for established cycle recyclers that could provide high-quality secondhand cycles and accessories to people who are financially struggling. The stream initially operated as a pilot working with identified partner organisations.
