Making cycling e-asier FAQs
- What is Making cycling e-asier? Am I eligible?
- Where can I access the skills and confidence training sessions and e-cycle loans? What locations are they available in?
- How much do skills and confidence training session and one-month loans cost?
- What is the maximum speed of your e-cycles?
- Do I have to pedal?
- How far can I travel on an e-cycle?
- Are there any size or weight restrictions for using your e-cycles?
- Does the e-cycle get charged as I am pedalling?
- How long does it take to charge the battery?
- Can I call to reserve a booking?
- Where can I download the e-cycles loan app?
- What type of e-cycle can I borrow?
- How do I know which size of e-cycle to book?
- Are helmets available to loan as well?
- How long can I loan the e-cycle for?
- What is the minimum age for attending a skills and confidence session or loaning an e-cycle?
- Can I loan more than one e-cycle?
- Can I attend more than one skills and confidence session?
- Do I need to collect the e-cycle in person or is it delivered?
- What do I need to bring with me to collect an e-cycle on loan?
- What do I need to bring with me for a skills and confidence session?
- Do you offer any support or training?
- Do I need to return the e-cycle in person or is it collected?
- Does my e-cycle loan need to be returned to the same location or can it be dropped at a different location?
- How can I cancel or change an online booking?
- Can an e-cycle loan be returned early?
- What happens if I have a puncture, mechanical problem or the e-cycle gets damaged?
- How do I manage the battery and charger?
- Am I covered if I’m in an accident?
- What happens if my e-cycle is stolen?
- How to I keep the e-cycle secure?
- Can I fit my own kit to the e-cycle?
- Can I loan a trailer for my child/dog/shopping?
- Can the e-cycles be ridden on and off-road?
- Can I adjust the seat height?
- What clothes do I need to wear?
- Do the loan e-cycles come with lights, and can I ride them at night?
- E-cycle fire safety and advice
What is Making cycling e-asier? Am I eligible?
Making cycling e-asier is a scheme offering free electric bicycle (e-cycle) skills and confidence sessions and free one-month e-cycle loans to communities across England through dedicated e-hubs.
It is for people over the age of 16.
Where can I access the skills and confidence training sessions and e-cycle loans? What locations are they available in?
Skills and confidence sessions and one-month loans will be available at community hubs within each region:
Places for our skills and confidence sessions and one-month e-cycle loans are released every month so it is worth checking out our website regularly for new availability.
How much do skills and confidence training session and one-month loans cost?
The skills and confidence sessions and one-month loans are free of charge.
What is the maximum speed of your e-cycles?
The e-cycle will go as fast as you can pedal it, however the electric motor won’t assist you above 15.5mph.
Do I have to pedal?
Yes, the e-cycles need to be pedalled and the motor can be used to assist you.
How far can I travel on an e-cycle?
The range of each e-cycle varies and the achievable range on a full battery depends upon several factors such as the terrain, weather conditions, the load on the e-cycle. The range of each e-cycle is provided at the point of booking.
Are there any size or weight restrictions for using your e-cycles?
We have a range of e-cycles suitable for pretty much all heights. In terms of weight, 250lb (130kg) is the maximum weight that our e-cycles are designed for.
Does the e-cycle get charged as I am pedalling?
No, e-cycles are fitted with a lithium-ion battery that is charged via a mains powered charger.
How long does it take to charge the battery?
If the battery is completely flat, it will take four to six hours to fully recharge. However you can top up the charge at any time. For optimum performance, it is better not to let your battery go completely flat.
Can I call to reserve a booking?
Bookings can be made online through our booking page.
Where can I download the e-cycles loan app?
There isn’t an app to download. Skills and confidence sessions and one-month loans can be booked through our booking page.
What type of e-cycle can I borrow?
There are a range of e-cycles available from a variety of manufacturers including Raleigh, Specialized, Islabikes, Brompton and many more. These include; light e-cycles, fold up e-cycles, hybrid e-cycles and even e-cargo e-cycles. Make sure you select the right type and the right size of e-cycle when you book your free one-month loan. Due to limited availability, we will not be able to swap the e-cycle after you have booked.
How do I know which size of e-cycle to book?
During the booking process you will find a handy guide which shows which size of e-cycle is the best one for you based on your height.
Are helmets available to loan as well?
Helmets are optional and will be provided if requested on collection.
How long can I loan the e-cycle for?
An e-cycle can be loaned for one month.
What is the minimum age for attending a skills and confidence session or loaning an e-cycle?
The minimum age for an e-cycle loan is 16 years.
To ensure the safety and well-being of participants aged 16 and 17, we require a parental consent form to be completed for one-month loans.
Can I loan more than one e-cycle?
The scheme is limited to one e-cycle loan per person. However, a family can use more than one e-cycle, but each e-cycle must be hired by each family member individually.
Please note that children’s cycles are not provided as part of the programme and that a minimum age applies for renting an e-cycle, 16 years at all e-hubs.
Can I attend more than one skills and confidence session?
Yes, you can attend as many training sessions as you need.
Do I need to collect the e-cycle in person or is it delivered?
The e-cycle and accessories (bike lock, helmet, charger and so on) must be collected in person at the time and date specified in the booking.
What do I need to bring with me to collect an e-cycle on loan?
You will need to provide proof of your identification and proof of address on collection of the e-cycle. You will also need to agree to our terms and conditions.
The following documents may be used as proof of identification: passport, driving licence, non-UK national ID card, UK Biometric Residence Permit or Asylum Registration Card.
As proof of address the following documents can be provided: utility bill, council tax bill, bank/mortgage/credit card/ P45 or P60 statement or a letter from HMRC or DWP. To be a valid proof of address, the document must have been issued within the last three months.
Please note all documents must show your name or name and address, with the name and address matching across documents provided. Proof of identification and address must be unique; for example, a driving licence cannot be used twice.
A helmet, lock and lights will be provided. You will need to take the e-cycle charger and the bike lock with you so please bring a bag or rucksack.
What do I need to bring with me for a skills and confidence session?
You will need to provide proof of your identification (passport, driving licence, residence permit, bank statement) upon attending the training session. You will also need to agree to our terms and conditions.
For skills and confidence sessions, there is no need to bring anything else, just suitable clothes for cycling so nothing that could get entangled in the chain.
A helmet can be provided but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it. There is no requirement to wear a helmet.
Do you offer any support or training?
You must be able to cycle independently. When you collect your e-cycle we will show you how to use the e-cycle controls.
Our friendly team at the skills and confidence sessions will provide cycle training, advice and guidance to build confidence around usage of the e-cycles.
We will signpost participants for more bespoke or formal training if required.
Do I need to return the e-cycle in person or is it collected?
The e-cycle and accessories must be returned at the time and date specified in the booking so they can be prepared for the next booking. Late returns may incur a penalty fee. The e-cycle must be returned fully charged and clean so the next person can also enjoy their free e-cycle loan.
Does my e-cycle loan need to be returned to the same location or can it be dropped at a different location?
The e-cycle must be returned to the e-hub you originally hired it from. The e-cycle must be returned fully charged and clean so the next person can also enjoy their free e-cycle loan.
How can I cancel or change an online booking?
To cancel or change a loan or a training session booking, please email us to [email protected]. providing your full name and booking reference number.
Can an e-cycle loan be returned early?
To return an e-cycle early please contact us at [email protected] so we can confirm necessary arrangements.
What happens if I have a puncture, mechanical problem or the e-cycle gets damaged?
If the e-cycle has a puncture, mechanical problem or it becomes severely damaged please do not attempt to ride it. Contact us at [email protected] and one of our team members will advise you and how to proceed.
How do I manage the battery and charger?
Guidance will be provided when you collect the e-cycle.
Am I covered if I’m in an accident?
Third party liability insurance can be obtained through a Cycling UK membership. This third-party liability insurance which protects you if you accidentally cause injury to another person or damage their property while you are on your e-cycle. It also includes access to our specialist legal advice and support if you’re involved in a crash. Personal accident insurance is not provided.
What happens if my e-cycle is stolen?
If the e-cycle is stolen then you must report the theft to the police as soon as possible and request the crime number. If possible, please take photographs of where the e-cycle was stolen and any possible evidence (broken door, broken lock etc). Email us at [email protected]. to inform us of the theft, the crime number and the circumstances and any photographs available.
How to I keep the e-cycle secure?
All e-cycles are issued with an approved lock. The lock must be used to secure the e-cycle to a fixed object when left unattended, and whenever possible it should be stored indoors.
Can I fit my own kit to the e-cycle?
To make sure the e-cycle is safe and in good condition for all our participants please do not add or attach accessories or trailers to the e-cycle. Please do not dismantle or tamper with the e-cycle or in any way attempt to do so as if you do, you may be liable for any damage.
Can I loan a trailer for my child/dog/shopping?
The e-cycle loans do not come with the option of a trailer.
Can the e-cycles be ridden on and off road?
The e-cycles available will have some capacity to be ridden in traffic free environments, we wouldn’t advise their use in mountain biking terrain, however they will be suitable for off-road use in terms of canal tow paths and gentle parkland.
Can I adjust the seat height?
All e-cycles have easily adjustable seat heights.
What clothes do I need to wear?
You can wear everyday clothes to cycle in, no specialist clothing is required, although comfortable footwear and less restrictive clothing can make cycling more comfortable. Dressing according to the weather can also make the experience more pleasurable.
Do the loan e-cycles come with lights, and can I ride them at night?
All e-cycles provided will have a set of front and rear lights.
E-cycle fire safety and advice
Following widespread reporting in the media, we understand many people have concerns about electric cycles causing fires.
The Making cycling e-asier scheme works with reputable manufacturers who carry out stringent safety tests on e-cycle batteries and chargers before they become available to the public.
Cases of e-cycle chargers from certified manufacturers causing a fire are very rare, and to date, Cycling UK has had no reports of this happening to the e-cycles we offer through the scheme.
Reportedly issues usually arise when e-cycles are tampered with or e-bike adaptation kits of dubious quality bought online from overseas suppliers are fitted, with fires happening when charging.
Cycling UK would always advise people not to change the factory settings of their e-bike and only to use adaptation kits if purchased from a reputable vendor and fitted by a competent bike mechanic. Additionally, we would advise not to leave your e-bike charging overnight, and when charging to keep soft furnishings away and only use the charger provided by the original manufacturer.
For more information, please see the Fire Industry Association’s guide to reducing fire risks when charging e-bikes and e-scooters.
