Cycling UK revives cycling for key workers with funding and support

Cycling has proven to be vital for many key workers. It's enabling them to get to work safely while maintaining social distancing guidance. Going out for a ride is also helping people to look after their mental and physical health.

The Big Bike Revival for Key Workers scheme provides funding and support so that independent bike shops, recycling centres and bike mechanics can offer free services to key workers.

The Big Bike Revival is all about overcoming those little barriers and to help you feel more confident about cycling.

The project is funded by the Department for Transport in England and Transport Scotland in Scotland.

Big Bike Revival in Scotland 

Cycling UK are offering grants of up to £2,000 to independent bike shops, recycling centres and mechanics across Scotland so they can provide free cycling services to key workers. 

Thanks to funding from Transport Scotland, the Big Bike Revival for Key Workers project will provide services including: 

• Bike safety checks
• Servicing and repairs
• Bike and equipment loans, including delivery
• Bike accessories, such as locks, helmets and panniers. 

Cycling UK will also offer support to applicants through our development officer network and an online marketing toolkit for promotion of the services you will offer free to key workers.

For more information and to apply visit the Cycling UK Big Bike Revival in Scotland page here.

Big Bike Revival in England

The Big Bike Revival 2020 in England aims to help key workers to begin or return to cycling for everyday activities with a programme of free events and services that fix bikes and offer free or loan equipment. By delivering these free events and services, Cycling UK want to support our key workers through these difficult times. 

A range of activities aimed particularly at supporting key workers will be held around the country during the summer months of 2020 and will include:

• Free bike services and checks for key workers.
• Pop-up Dr Bike Sessions at hospitals and supermarkets.
• Free equipment such as locks and helmets for key workers.
• Community assistance from local bike organisations and Cycling Development Officers.
• Online support for Big Bike Revival centres and Community Cycle Clubs.
• Free bike loans to key workers through bike shops/recycle centres.
• Supporting BBR centres to help key workers to keep their bikes safe and secure.

Who can get a grant?

Grants will be provided to independent bike shops, recycle centres and bike mechanics to support this work and funding will still be available later in the year to run a range of core Big Bike Revival projects where the latest public health advice makes such events possible.

Thanks to the continued support of the Department of Transport and its strong network of experienced local centres, Cycling UK believes its events programme can continue to support more people to benefit from cycling, particularly key workers who have recently started or resuming riding to work.  

Find more information about The Big Bike Revival for Key Workers scheme here.