Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme: helping those who need it most in Glasgow
We’ve been keeping local people moving with free repairs as well as holding pop up neighbourhood Dr Bikes in deprived neighbourhoods.
Bike for Good is one of 300 bike shops and projects in Scotland taking part in the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme, which offers £50 towards the repair or service of a bike, non-standard cycle or manual wheelchair. The scheme is for those who would otherwise struggle to afford a service or repair for their bike. It aims to get bikes out of sheds and garages across the country and back in use, with 30,000 people set to benefit.
We were quick to join the scheme as soon as it launched in August and have now offered £50 off repairs for 199 bikes!
All partners involved were conscious that people who could benefit most from the scheme might be experiencing various barriers. To combat this, we set up a series of pop up neighbourhood Dr Bikes in various communities that do not currently have a bike hub. We did three pop-up Dr Bike sessions which allowed for 37 bike repairs in 6 hours! Any bikes that could not be fixed onsite were repaired at Bike for Good hubs and returned to the customer.
Delighted customer Omobolanle said:
“My bike’s wheels were stolen from my garden… I love the new look, the new wheels are much better and feel good when riding, much better than before! Thank you for the heart of kindness and generosity shown to me”
Shgufta who facilitated the schemed from Bike for Good said: “when the world has been turned upside down by the pandemic, it is important to develop partnerships to make sure we provide the most vulnerable with access to free or paid for repairs”
One of our partners Sandra Lavergne from Glasgow Kelvin College said:
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Cycling UK and Bike for Good as part of the Cycle Repair scheme; providing free bike maintenance services to the local community in one of the most deprived areas of Glasgow is key to tackle transport poverty and encourage more people to cycle. The College is keen to pursue such partnerships and we look forward to taking part in similar fantastic initiatives in the future.”
And lastly, Eileen Hamill of Cycling UK said, “With the impact of Covid-19, we know it can be difficult to pay for essential bike repairs right now. The Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme is providing free repairs and maintenance up to the value of £50, to get thousands of people across Scotland on their bikes.”
The Cycle Repair Scheme is funded by Transport Scotland and administered by Cycling UK.
You can access this service by booking in for a repair slot here