Sport England and Active Wellbeing Society have launched the research findings on ‘The Value of Free Bikes Schemes’.
The report, authored by Volterra for The Active Wellbeing Society, analyses three schemes (Big Birmingham Bikes, Let’s Ride Southall, and Essex Pedal Power) that provided free bikes, accessories, training and community-led rides to residents in the most deprived areas.
Over 12,000 bikes have been gifted so far – including adaptive bikes to those with mobility impairments, bikes prescribed by GPs to those with Long Term Health Conditions, and bikes for older residents and children.
Headline findings:
· Return on Investment: For every £1 spent on the scheme, an estimated £12 of Social Return on Investment (SROI) has been generated to date. This will increase further over the lifecycle of the bikes.
· The Cost Barrier: The biggest barrier to bike usage among those receiving a bike through these schemes was the cost of buying one. The schemes remove the cost barrier. Around 1/3 in the Essex scheme reported the bikes improving access to jobs.
· Health inequalities: Those in deprived areas are at the greatest risk of being inactive. The bikes can shift recipients from being inactive to active, delivering health benefits including reduced risk of non-communicable disease, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
· Environmental benefits: The schemes reduced the volume of journeys that would previously have been made by car by 32% (approx. 7 million kilometers)
· Future investment: Bikes available to all would strengthen the case for improved cycle infrastructure to meet rising demand.
· Satisfaction: Recipients showed increased Life Satisfaction, improvements in mental and physical health, improved community relationships (10%) as well as practical advantages such as making commutes easier.
The report is robust evidence that investment now will deliver long term savings, alongside immediate benefits for the recipients.