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Your chance to apply for a FREE bike

Published: Thursday, 21st September 2017

Would-be cyclists are being invited to apply for a free bike giveaway – this time with an emphasis on encouraging families to cycle together.


A total of 2,000 Raleigh bikes are being offered for free to families and residents in our most deprived communities as part of the next phase of the Big Birmingham Bikes scheme. Part of Birmingham City Council’s Birmingham Cycle Revolution, Big Birmingham Bikes aims to encourage people of all backgrounds to cycle regularly by offering free bikes to those unable to afford them.

Previously more than 3,500 people received an orange bike and cycled over 300,000 miles which improved their mental health and wellbeing.

Successful applicants are being asked to enter into a partnership with Big Birmingham Bikes, aimed at increasing the amount of cycling they do a weekly basis. Recipients will be expected to keep in contact with the Big Birmingham Bikes team to let them know how the bike has impacted on them and their families – for example, improving physical and mental wellbeing, saving money from replacing car journeys or being able to access work or education opportunities requiring transport.

This can be done via the SETA mobility phone app, by regularly attending Big Birmingham Bikes activities or providing details of cycling done and the benefits.

Priority will be given to families and residents in our most deprived communities. Applications will also be considered from those undergoing or about to start an apprenticeship and from refugees.

To be eligible for a free bike, applicants need to:

  • Live within an eligible postcode area in Birmingham – priority is being given to people living in areas where income, employment and health and poorer, although applications may be considered from those who don’t live in an eligible area, but have a medical condition where personal health and wellbeing will be improved through cycling;
  • Be aged 16 or older;
  • Cycle to Level 2 standard (there are lots of opportunities for people to access free cycle training through Big Birmingham Bikes);
  • Have basic bike maintenance knowledge;
  • Hold a valid blue Birmingham City Council Leisure Card AND hold a Wellbeing Card (both available from Wellbeing Centres);
  • Agree to download and use the SETA app (available for Apple and Android phones from November 2017) so that usage can be monitored;
  • Complete an initial survey and further follow-up surveys as required, and
  • Agree to use the bike on a weekly basis or return it if they don’t use it.

In order to encourage youngsters to cycle, a children’s Bike Bank will be launched later in the year.

Applications can be made online or by picking up an application form at a Wellbeing Centre.

Further information on cycle training, the current Big Birmingham Bikes programme and the work of Birmingham Cycle Revolution can be found at www.birmingham.gov.uk/bcr.

For enquiries regarding the FREE Bike Giveaway or for any Big Birmingham Bikes cycling related enquiries please telephone 0121 464 1020 or email: bigbirminghambikes@birmingham.gov.uk.

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