NHS Sheffield Making cycling e-asier FAQs
Overview
1. What is Making cycling e-asier? Am I eligible?
Making cycling e-asier offers free electric bicycle (e-cycle) skills and confidence sessions and one-month loans through workplaces, education centres and Evans Cycles e-hubs across England.
At Sheffield NHS, colleagues, including contractors and agency staff, who are working for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust can access the scheme.
Please note, Making cycling e-asier participants must be aged 16 or over.
2. Where can I access skills and confidence sessions and e-cycle loans?
Skills and confidence sessions and free one-month loans at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital are located at the Cycling UK Cabin, at the Junction of B Road and Claremont Place.
Skills and confidence sessions and free one-month loans at the Northern General Hospital are located at the Cycling UK Cabin, on Central Way, close to the entrance from Fox Way, Northern General Hospital
If you’re not employed by the NHS in Sheffield, find out how you can access a free e-cycle loan or skills and confidence session in Sheffield on our website.
3. How much do skills and confidence sessions and one-month loans cost?
It’s free to take part in Making cycling e-asier.
4. What is the maximum speed of Making cycling e-asier e-cycles?
The maximum speed of our e-cycles is 15.5mph (25 km/h). The e-cycle will go faster if you pedal harder; however, the electric motor won’t assist you above 15.5mph.
5. Do I have to pedal?
Yes, the e-cycles need to be pedalled and the motor can be used to assist you.
6. How far can I travel on an e-cycle?
We offer two models of e-cycles to Sheffield NHS colleagues. The Brompton Electric C Line and the Pure Electric Pure Free City which have a maximum range of 35 and 45 kilometres respectively (21 and 28 miles). Please note, the range is affected by rider weight and weather conditions.
7. Are there any size or weight restrictions for using your e-cycles?
We have a range of e-cycles suitable for most heights. The e-cycles have a weight limit of 250lb (130kg) which includes luggage.
8. Does the e-cycle charge as I pedal?
No, e-cycles are fitted with lithium-Ion batteries that are charged via a main power charger.
9. How long does it take to charge the battery?
The Pure Electric Free City takes six hours to charge from empty to full. The Brompton C Line takes between three and four hours to charge fully.
10. How do I charge the battery?
The batteries on both models are removable from the bike and can be charged at home from an ordinary power socket. Our guidance on battery charging at home guidance will provide you with all the information you need to ensure that your e-cycle battery is kept in the best condition.
11. How much does it cost to charge the battery?
The cost of charging the e-cycle depends on how much electricity costs you as a consumer. On average these e-cycles cost less than £1 to fully charge. Charging requirements will vary on the amount that you use the e-cycle.
12. How do I lock and unlock the e-cycle?
All e-cycles are issued with an approved lock which will be issued with your e-cycle. The lock must be used when the e-cycle is left unattended. The lock must secure the e-cycle to a fixed object and whenever possible it should be stored indoors.
13. Where can I park my e-cycle?
You can park your e-cycle anywhere that there is appropriate cycle parking.
While using the cycle parking at Sheffield NHS you should park your cycle in the appropriate cycle parking and lock it using the provided lock.
NB: If you are employed by the Sheffield Teaching hospital trust and would like to use the secure cycle shelters, please email sth.travelplanning@nhs.net for access.
Booking and training
1. Can I call to reserve a booking?
Bookings can be made online through our booking page.
2. What type of e-cycle can I borrow?
NHS Sheffield staff have access to two different models of e-cycle: the Brompton C Line and the Pure Electric Pure Free City.
The Brompton C Line is a portable, folding e-cycle supercharged for the city. The C Line has all the benefits of an e-cycle, packed into the normal Brompton 3-part fold design. It’s so compact when folded, (measuring 645mm high x 565mm long x 270mm wide), it can be towed, stowed or carried anywhere, including on most public transport. Equipped with mudguards and integrated front and rear lights, this e-cycle is ready for commuter life.
The Pure Electric Free City comes complete with a high-quality pannier rack, mud and chain guards, integrated lights and a kickstand – all built into a step-through unisex frame – it’s the last word in hybrid e-bike practicality. It comes with a fitted rack battery that lets you ride 45km/28mi assisted on a full charge.
If you wish to use an alternative model of e-cycle, please visit the Making cycling e-asier homepage to access the scheme through Evans Cycles or a community hub in Sheffield.
3. How do I know which size e-cycle to book?
We have a range of e-cycles suitable for pretty much all heights.
4. Are helmets available to hire as well?
Helmets are optional and can be provided if requested.
5. How long can I loan the e-cycle for?
All e-cycles can be loaned for one month.
6. Can I hire more than one e-cycle?
The scheme is limited to one e-cycle loan per person.
Please note that children’s cycles are not provided as part of the scheme and that minimum ages apply for renting an e-cycle: 16 years at all e-hubs except at Evans Cycles shops where it is 18 years.
7. Can I attend more than one skills and confidence session?
Yes, you can attend as many of the sessions as you need.
8. What is a Cycling UK membership?
Each e-cycle loan comes with a complementary digital three-month Cycling UK membership. You’ll be joining 70,000 other Cycling UK members in receiving free third-party liability insurance which protects you for up to £10m if you accidentally cause injury to another person or damage their property while you are on your e-cycle. It also includes access to our specialist legal advice and support if you’re involved in a crash.
Membership also includes a digital version of Cycle magazine every two months, subscription to CycleClips, Cycling UK’s weekly e-newsletter, and discounts at a range of cycling, leisure and outdoors-related retailers. View our member benefits.
9. How do I access my Cycling UK membership?
The collection of your e-cycle will automatically activate your Cycling UK membership. You will receive a welcome email within five working days which will ask you to create an online account so you can access all your benefits and gain more information about what Cycling UK does and how we can support you to ride.
10. Do I need to collect the e-cycle in person or is it delivered?
The e-cycle and accessories (helmet) must be collected in person at the time and date specified in the booking.
11. What do I need to bring with me?
You will need to provide proof of your identification (company pay slip app, passport, driving licence, residence permit, bank statement) and proof of address (utility bill, council tax bill, bank statement, dated within the last three months) on collection of your e-cycle or prior to participating in a skills and confidence session. You will also need to agree to our terms and conditions.
For skills and confidence sessions, there is no need to bring anything else, just suitable clothes for cycling.
A helmet will be provided if requested.
12. Do you offer any support or training?
You must be able to cycle independently. When you collect your e-cycle we will show you how to use the e-cycle controls.
Our expert team at the skills and confidence sessions will provide cycle training, advice and guidance to build confidence around usage of the e-cycles.
We will signpost participants for more bespoke or formal training if required.
Returns and cancellations
1. Do I need to return the e-cycle in person or is it collected?
The e-cycle and any accessories must be returned at the time and date specified in the booking so they can be prepared for the next person to collect.
Late returns may incur a penalty fee. The e-cycle must be returned clean so the next person can also enjoy their free e-cycle loan.
2. Does my e-cycle loan need to be returned to the same location or can it be dropped at a different location?
The e-cycle must be returned to the hub from where you originally hired it.
3. How can I cancel or change an online booking?
To cancel or change a loan or a skills and confidence session please email us at bookings.makingcyclingeasier@cyclinguk.org and provide your full name and booking reference number.
4. Can an e-cycle loan be returned early?
To return an e-cycle early please contact us at bookings.makingcyclingeasier@cyclinguk.org so we can confirm necessary arrangements.
Maintenance, accessories and support
1. What happens if I have a puncture, mechanical problem or if the e-cycle gets damaged?
For e-cycle hires from our workplace hubs, if the e-cycle has a puncture, mechanical problem or it becomes severely damaged please do not attempt to ride it. Contact us at bookings.makingcyclingeasier@cyclinguk.org and one of our team members will advise you on how to proceed.
2. Am I covered if I’m in an accident?
E-cycle loans, within the Making cycling e-asier scheme, come with a free three-month Cycling UK membership. This includes third-party liability insurance which protects you if you accidentally cause injury to another person or damage their property while you are on your e-cycle. It also includes access to our specialist legal advice and support if you’re involved in a crash.
Personal accident insurance is not provided.
3. What happens if my e-cycle is stolen?
If your e-cycle is stolen then you must report the theft to the police as soon as possible and request the crime number. If possible, please take photographs of where the e-cycle was stolen and any possible evidence (broken door, broken lock and so on). Email us at bookings.makingcyclingeasier@cyclinguk.org to inform us of the theft, the crime number and the circumstances and any photographs available.
4. How do I keep the e-cycle secure?
All e-cycles are issued with an approved lock. The lock must be used when the e-cycle is left unattended. The lock must secure the e-cycle to a fixed object and whenever possible it should be stored indoors.
While using the cycle parking at Sheffield NHS sites you should park your cycle in the appropriate cycle parking and lock it using the approved lock.
5. Can I fit my own kit to the e-cycle?
To make sure the e-cycle is safe and in good condition for all our participants please do not add or attach accessories or trailers. Also please do not dismantle or tamper with the e-cycle as you may be liable for damage caused.
For staff at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, please email sth.travelplanning@nhs.net to gain access using your ID card. There are no access restrictions to the Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust cycle parking.
6. Can I hire a trailer for my child/dog/shopping?
The e-cycle loans do not come with the option of a trailer.
7. Can the e-cycles be ridden on and off road?
The e-cycles available will have some capacity to be ridden in traffic-free environments, including canal tow paths and gentle parkland. We don’t advise their use in mountain biking terrain.
8. Can I adjust the seat height?
Our e-cycles have easily adjustable seats to suit a range of heights.
9. What clothes do I need to wear?
You can wear everyday clothes to cycle in. No specialist clothing is required, although comfortable footwear and less restrictive clothing can make cycling more comfortable. Dressing according to the weather can also make the experience more enjoyable.
10. Do the loan e-cycles come with lights, and can I ride them at night?
All e-cycles provided have integrated front and rear lights.
