Cycle Access Fund FAQs - Strand 1: Individual Ownership
Please ensure you have read the Cycle Access Fund general FAQs as information is not repeated here.
Use the questions below to find out; who can apply, how the funding works, and what’s expected from applicants and bike recipients under this strand of the Cycle Access Fund.
- Who can benefit from Strand 1: Individual Ownership?
- How can my organisation apply for funding from Strand 1: Individual Ownership?
- What is expected of potential Individual Ownership recipients?
- Can I buy a non-standard cycle for an individual?
- Can the same household be given more than one bike?
- Will the bikes be delivered to our premises?
- Who is responsible for storing the bikes?
- Who is liable if the bike recipient has an accident on the road?
- What happens if a bike gets stolen?
- What happens if a bike recipient no longer wants their bike or has a change of circumstances which means they cannot use it?
1. Who can benefit from Strand 1: Individual Ownership?
Grants are available to organisations working with people who would otherwise be unable to afford a cycle.
To ensure that this funding reaches those who needs it most, we expect grant recipients to already be providing ongoing support to people who are financially struggling in the communities hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis.
To demonstrate that your organisation is an appropriate partner, we ask that you describe the profile of the individuals and/or communities you already work with in your Stage-1 application.
2. How can my organisation apply for funding from Strand 1: Individual Ownership?
You will need to identify potential participants, so please think carefully about who from your community would benefit most from having a bike; consider factors such as the person’s ability to store a cycle securely and the ongoing monitoring and evaluation requirements.
Someone’s suitability will also depend on their ability to use the cycle – you will need to ascertain whether they have the necessary physical and technical skills to ride it and/or how you can support them to develop these skills. Need for developing these skills is not a barrier to applying for funding.
If a new bike recipient would benefit from training to improve their cycling skills or confidence, please contact the Cycle Access Fund team as we may be able to signpost to training in your area.
3. What is expected of potential Individual Ownership recipients?
In signing the grant agreement with Cycling UK you commit to carrying out and supporting data collection from the recipients of funded bikes. This includes completing an initial baseline survey with each recipient when they receive their bike, and up to three further email surveys in the first year of ownership.
Individual Ownership bike recipients must agree to:
- Provide contact details and consent to their details being shared with Cycling UK
- Complete a baseline survey at the time of bike collection and up to three further surveys throughout the first year of ownership
- Have somewhere secure to store the bike indoors
- Use the bike regularly for transport and leisure purposes
Please see additional notes about monitoring and evaluation requirements in the general FAQs.
4. Can I buy a non-standard cycle for an individual?
Yes. We will ask for clear reasoning for why a non-standard cycle (adaptive, trike, e-bike) is needed.
Funding is extremely limited so we can only fund non-standard cycles for individuals where a strong case is made for their need for support.
If you propose purchasing non-standard cycles (including trikes, e-bikes and adaptive cycles) for individuals you should have considered factors such as the person’s ability to:
- Securely store and/or maintain a non-standard cycle
- Please bear in mind that non-standard and electric-assist cycles can be more expensive to maintain than standard cycles.
- Use the cycle independently
- You will need to ascertain whether they have the necessary physical and technical skills to ride it without specialist support.
- If you identify individuals who could benefit from training to use a non-standard cycle the CAF team may be able to connect you with suitable training programmes in your area.
5. Can the same household be given more than one bike?
Yes. We know that people are more likely to cycle if they have company, so we can support multiple people from the same household to get a funded bike. We will leave the specific decisions about who gets a bike to your professional judgement.
6. Will the bikes be delivered to our premises?
Depending on the supplier and your location, bikes could either be delivered to your premises or collected instore. This will be up to you and whatever works best for you and your bike recipients. The choice of bikes and suppliers will be up to you.
7. Who is responsible for storing the bikes?
If you get the bikes delivered to your premises, then you would need to store them until the recipients can come and collect them. With a bit of co-ordination, this shouldn’t be for too long. Please remember that if the bikes are to be stored at your premises while waiting for their new owner to collect them, they will need to be covered by your insurance in case of theft.
If you do not have access to storage space, then choosing to collect bikes instore or buying from a local retailer would be the best option for you.
The expectation is that once an individual receives their funded bike that they will store it securely and indoors somewhere convenient for them.
8. Who is liable if the bike recipient has an accident on the road?
Once you hand over the bike it is the responsibility of the new owner to look after it, use it properly when cycling and to keep themselves safe on the road.
We recommend that you make it clear to bike recipients that they are the new owner of that bike and ensure that they understand the risks, as well as benefits, of cycling.
If a new bike recipient requires training to improve their skills or confidence on their bike, please let us know as we may be able to signpost training in your area.
9. What happens if a bike gets stolen?
Once a bike has been transferred to a new owner it will be their responsibility to look after the bike.
Please be assured that Cycle Access Fund would never expect a bike recipient to replace a stolen bike and firmly believe that prevention is much better than any cure.
Grant funding can be used to buy relevant bike accessories so all new owners can also be issued with a lock – please give careful thought to the type of lock purchased. New bike owners will be signposted to the Cycling UK website where they can access information on bike security.
10. What happens if a bike recipient no longer wants their bike or has a change of circumstances which means they cannot use it?
We expect that you will maintain ongoing contact with each recipient and will check in regularly with them as to their use and intentions for the funded bike. If they are no longer using it, ask them to return the bike to you so it can be passed on to someone else from your community who will.
