Free e-cycle scheme helps NHS Sheffield workforce experience the benefits of e-cycling
- Charity Cycling UK is offering staff at NHS Sheffield free e-cycle loans and skills and confidence sessions through Making cycling e-asier
- Funded by Department for Transport, the pilot scheme aims to encourage communities to consider e-cycling for short everyday journeys
- Photos available
Since launching in April 2023, staff have been taking advantage of free one-month e-cycle loans, alongside dedicated skills and confidence sessions for those who would like to familiarise themself with e-cycling.
At NHS Sheffield, colleagues, including contractors and agency staff, who are working for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust can access the scheme - with two models of e-cycles available for loan, The Brompton Electric C Line and the Pure Electric Pure Free City.
The Making cycling e-asier workplace scheme offers employees at NHS Sheffield the opportunity to discover the cost, health and environmental benefits of e-cycling and cut down on unnecessary short car journeys to and from work, making the daily commute more enjoyable.
Physical activity has so many benefits for our mental health and wellbeing, as well as our physical health and supporting our mission to combat the climate crisis
Sarah Ellison, sustainability lead, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Sarah Ellison, sustainability lead for Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, said:
"Physical activity has so many benefits for our mental health and wellbeing, as well as our physical health and supporting our mission to combat the climate crisis.
"E-cycles are fantastic bits of kit, improving access to cycling and making a huge difference in encouraging people to make sustainable choices. We are delighted to be taking advantage of these free loans and sessions at the Trust."
Jenny Box, deputy director of Making cycling e-asier said:
“We are delighted to see the success of our NHS Sheffield workplace hub and how well this has been received. Working with the NHS has allowed us to reach a wide audience and help them to discover the huge benefits of commuting by e-cycle.
“The loans and skills and confidence sessions for employees are completely free. As people struggle with the impact of the cost of living and look for greener ways to travel, we hope we can help many more people to consider e-cycling as an everyday affordable mode of transport.”
With the 100th annual Bike Week taking place from 5-11 June 2023, marking a century of celebrating everyday cycling for everyone, Making cycling e-asier is also looking to encourage local Sheffield residents to experience the scheme for themselves and see how they can use e-cycling for their daily commutes to work and local journeys.
Sheffield residents can access free one-month e-cycle loans from Evans Cycles, Sheffield, alongside loans and skills and confidence sessions available at the Making cycling e-asier community hubs at Shipshape Community Hub and Green Estate Community Hub.
The Making cycling e-asier e-cycle programme delivers part of the Prime Minister’s ambitious Cycling and Walking Plan (Gear Change) to boost cycling and walking, with a vision for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030.
Cycling UK’s extensive experience of engaging with underrepresented groups means they recognise the barriers, challenges and perceptions that can deter people from trying cycling. Through their tried and tested behavioural change models, Cycling UK has the ability to deliver projects and programmes that attract diverse groups and empower communities.
People can sign up and find more information about the scheme via Cycling UK’s website.
One month e-cycle loans are based on a first come first serve basis with limited availability.
Confirmed Making cycling e-asier partners, supporting the delivery include, Evans Cycles, Raleigh Bikes, Specialized, Tier Mobility, Islabikes, Wheels for All, Bikeworks, Fusion Media, Modeshift, Cyclescheme, Bike Right, Sharebike, Transport for Quality of Life.
For more information, please visit the project home page.
Anyone taking part in Bike Week this year can take advantage of one week’s free bicycle insurance from Yellow Jersey. The offer is valid from 5-11 June.
Notes to editors
About Cycling UK
Cycling UK, the UK’s cycling charity, imagines a world where the streets are free of congestion and the air is clean to breathe, where parents encourage their children to cycle to school and everyone shares the exhilaration of being in the saddle. For more than 140 years, we’ve been making our streets safer, opening up new traffic free routes and inspiring more people to cycle more often.
About DfT
The Department for Transport works with its agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. It plans and invests in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.
The new executive agency, Active Travel England, will deliver the Government’s cycling and walking priorities, enabling more people in England to choose walking and cycling for their everyday journeys.
Press contact information
For more information, please contact the national Cycling UK press office. If you would like to speak to a member of the press office during working hours (0900 - 1700) please call Joanne Clark on 07917 243925 or email us. Out of hours, call 07584 271 300.
