Cycling UK is working with Wheels for All in Manchester to offer free one-month e-trike loans and free skills and confidence sessions through the new free e-cycle scheme, Making cycling e-asier.
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.
Electric tricycles offer motor assistance and require less balance than a conventional bicycle. They are ideal for people who otherwise might struggle to ride a standard bike.
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.
The scheme aims to give more than 6000 Manchester locals the opportunity to discover the benefits of e-cycling for short everyday journeys and will run until October 2023.
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.
E-cycles offer pedal assistance and give users an extra boost which can make cycling, especially up hills, less strenuous and more accessible.
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester said:
“For many, their first time 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.”
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.”
