Hundreds of free bikes for key staff to get to work

200 essential workers to be offered complimentary membership of hire schemes.

The bikes are part of the Forth Bikes and nextbike hire schemes.

The employees are to be given free access to the electric Forth Bikes and traditional bike nextbike cycle rental schemes in the Stirling and Falkirk areas during April.

The move follows health staff being offered free use of electric bikes from another scheme in the area last week so they could avoid public transport.

Forth Environment Link and Recyke-a-Bike announced the expansion today with national development body Cycling Scotland.

Nurse Helen Konkol making use of a free bike.

A total of 100 free memberships are being offered for each bike hire scheme, giving 200 key workers across Forth Valley free access to 200 nextbikes and 120 Bewegen Forth Bikes for a month.

Forth Environment Link executive director Clara Walker said: “As a local charity, we’re looking to support Forth Valley’s key workers in any way we can.

“With public transport reduced and social distancing measures in place, getting around by bike is one of the best ways to travel to minimise the risk of transmission.

“Daily exercise outside is also a great way to support our mental health and well being at a challenging time like this.

“We’ll be reviewing the free key worker memberships after a month, with a view to extending these if there is demand.”

Regular sanitisation

Recyke-a-bike chief executive Angela Barron said: “Keeping the fleet on the road for key workers is vitally important, as is their health and safety.

“We’ve included regular sanitisation of the bikes' main contact points in our maintenance schedule, and we’re also advising all customers to wash or sanitise their hands immediately before and after use.

Cycling Scotland head of education and training Christopher Johnson said: “Cycling may be the only way for some people to travel to essential work during this time and we are keen to help.

“With funding from Transport Scotland, we are supporting free access to bikes to key workers.

“Everyone cycling needs to remember to follow all public health guidance, to stay at least 2m from others, cycle within their ability level and wash hands at their destination.”

Nextbike managing director Krysia Solheim said: “Cycling is the perfect self-distancing way of moving around Stirling during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Hopefully, by offering key workers the chance to take a free nextbike instead of having to use public transport, we will be helping to minimise the risks to their health - so they can continue to look after the city."

Key workers who would like to take advantage of the free bike share offer should contact [email protected]

BACKGROUND: Free electric bikes for NHS staff as hire schemes stay open

Seven doctors and nurses have signed up for a free electric bike loan since last week, including nurse Helen Konkol from Avonbridge, south of Falkirk.

She said: “Thank you so much Forth Environment Link for lending me an e-bike.

“My own e-bike is off road for repair and I can’t get it fixed at present.

“I’m using the e-bike back and forth to work at St John’s Hospital in Livingston, where I work in the dialysis unit.

“It means I don't always have to rely on the car or public transport during this present situation.”

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