Cycling UK’s ‘Making cycling e-asier’ scheme gives people a chance to try out an e-bike for a whole month before taking the plunge and buying one. This means riders can try out different styles of bikes and see whether they’ll fit into their lives, the school run, their daily commutes, and so on, before buying a bike. In partnership with Wheels For All in Manchester, it’s now possible for Machester residents to try out electric trikes too – potentially a great option for those who can’t balance on a standard bike, or don’t feel confident enough to use a two wheeler around town.
The pilot scheme, which is funded by Department for Transport, will create a new e-hub aiming to make e-cycling inclusive and accessible to all. Participants will be offered support and guidance to give them the confidence to pedal an e-trike regularly.
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, attended the launch on Tuesday, 21 March to take part in a skills and confidence session and show her support, saying:
“For many, their first cycling is in a park, and for anyone returning to cycling, they often need some help. There are now a far greater variety of cycles available, and including electric assist widens access to many older and less confident adults.“
“It’s great that this project is providing e-trikes, we know many people need to ‘try before they buy’ and the support that this project provides will help them. We will be offering our bike buddy scheme at this location which will help carers support our new and returning cyclists.“
Making cycling e-asier also offers free e-cycle loans and skills and confidence sessions via selected Evans Cycles stores, community hubs and workplaces across Manchester, Sheffield, Leicester and Luton and Dunstable, with the aim of encouraging locals to consider e-cycling as an alternative travel option for short everyday journeys.
By giving people the opportunity to discover the cost, health and environmental benefits of e-cycling, it is hoped that Making cycling e-asier will help people drive less and cycle more on their shorter journeys.
Jenny Box, deputy director of Making cycling e-asier said:
“Cycling UK is delighted Dame Sarah attended the launch of Making cycling e-asier at Wheels for All, and we really appreciate her support and work to make Manchester an inclusive and accessible city for everyone.
“Cycling UK and Wheels for All are experts at helping people no matter their ability discover the joys of cycling, and we look forward to working together and helping more people discover the benefits of an electric boost.”
Ian Tierney, CEO of Wheels for All said:
“Wheels for All is pleased to be involved with Making cycling e-asier in Greater Manchester.
“We look forward to using our extensive experience to encourage local people to try an e-trike through offering weekly skills and confidence sessions in Debdale Park, social led rides in Phillips Park, and free one-month loans.”
People can sign up and find more information about the scheme via Cycling UK’s website.
One month e-cycle loans are based on a first come first serve basis with limited availability.
Confirmed Making cycling e-asier partners, supporting the delivery include, Evans Cycles, Raleigh Bikes, Specialized, Tier Mobility, Islabikes, Wheels for All, Bikeworks, Fusion Media, Modeshift, Cyclescheme, Bike Right, Sharebike, Transport for Quality of Life.
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