New Cycle Share Fund to remove barriers to everyday cycling in Scotland

Delivered by Cycling UK and funded by the Scottish Government, the Cycle Share Fund will get more people in Scotland cycling, by enabling access to a bike in an affordable, easy and convenient way.

It will enable organisations to purchase cycles and equipment for schemes that provide people with access to a bike that they don’t own. It will support a range of delivery models including loan schemes, subscription services, hire schemes, bike libraries, pool bikes and bike shares.

With support from Cycling UK, organisations which run or wish to run any form of cycle share scheme, including third-sector and community organisations, charities, schools and other workplaces, will be eligible to apply for funding.

The fund will tackle barriers to cycling including the upfront costs of buying a bike, uncertainty around choosing the right bike or how to maintain it, or lack of a safe place to store a cycle. Launching the funding, Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie visited Bike for Good in the west end of Glasgow, to learn more about its existing non-ownership pilot ‘SWITCH UP’.

Owning a cycle is not the best option for everyone, so we look forward to supporting a range of schemes that will break down barriers and enable people to feel all the benefits of cycling – financially, for their health, wellbeing and for our environment

Suzanne Forup, Cycling UK

Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie commented: “I’m pleased to announce the Scottish Government investment of £1m to support and develop cycle access schemes across the country.

“With the eyes of the world on Scotland for the first ever UCI 2023 Cycling World Championships, this investment demonstrates our commitment to removing barriers to cycling by expanding access – helping to keep the wheels in motion for everyday cycling after the event concludes.

“For our health, wellbeing and environment, we’re committed to building an active nation and making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter everyday trips. That’s why the Scottish Government has committed to spend at least £320m, or 10% of the total transport budget, on active travel by 2024-25.

“Through this we can bring about more projects like the one Bike for Good in Glasgow is expertly offering. Coupled with further investment in infrastructure, we will transform our communities to support the revolution in active travel that we need to see.”

Suzanne Forup, head of development for Scotland at Cycling UK, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering this fund that will provide more opportunities for people to cycle in an affordable and accessible way.

“We know that owning a cycle is not the best option for everyone, so we look forward to supporting a range of schemes that will break down barriers and enable people to feel all the benefits of cycling – financially, for their health, wellbeing and for our environment.”

Gregory Kinsman-Chauvet, founder and CEO at Bike for Good, added: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s Cycle Share Fund, delivered by Cycling UK. The purpose of the new fund aligns well with Bike for Good’s mission to enable people to ride a bike.

“We launched the UK’s first impact-led bike subscription service, SWITCH UP. We offer a safe, reliable and easy-to-use bike subscription service so that users are always ready and confident on the road. SWITCH UP users can access a bike, an e-bike or an e-cargo bike at affordable prices, with maintenance, insurance and mobile repairs included.”