Thousands more Scots to get in the saddle as Cycling UK repair scheme returns

• Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme will provide free bike repairs to those who need them most
• Scheme coordinated by charity Cycling UK and funded by Scottish Government
• Easy to access – simply contact nearest participating outlet to book repair

Thousands of people across Scotland are set to get on their bikes following the return of a scheme offering free cycle repairs.

The Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme will encourage people to get old cycles out of storage and back in use, as well as keeping well-used machines pedalling smoothly and safely.

The free repairs of up to £50 per person (or up to £100 for non-standard cycles) will be of particular help to people who would not otherwise be able to afford to get their bikes fixed up.

Cycling UK is working with cycle shops across Scotland to provide 30,000 free repairs and maintenance, funded by the Scottish Government.

More than 260 bike shops – from Kirkcudbright in the south to Lerwick, on Shetland, in the north – are already signed up to the scheme, with many more expected to join in the coming weeks.

Accessing the scheme is simple – just contact your nearest participating bike shop or mechanic and get your repair booked in.

All cycles are welcome in the scheme, including adults’ and children’s bikes, e-bikes and non-standard cycles such as trikes, tandems, cargo bikes and recumbents. People who use manual wheelchairs are also eligible to access the free repairs.

The scheme was first launched in August 2020 and has so far provided more than 50,000 free repairs carried out by 310 cycle repair providers across Scotland. In the first phase of the scheme, 77% of participants used their repaired cycles for journeys previously done by car, showing that with support more people will use a bike for short everyday trips.

Suzanne Forup, Cycling UK’s head of development for Scotland, said:

“This scheme will once again fix the nation’s flat tyres and loose brakes, to get people on their bikes. Finances are really tight for many people at the moment, so the scheme is targeted at those who can’t easily afford to get their bikes fixed up.

“Whether it’s nipping to the shops or commuting to work, cycling boosts people’s physical health, wellbeing and is great for the environment. As we face a cost-of-living crisis and rising fuel prices, we know that some people are looking to cycling as an affordable alternative to driving, especially for shorter journeys. This scheme will help people to make that change and feel all the benefits that cycling brings.

“We’re proud to once again be working with hundreds of fantastic Scottish bike shops and mechanics – many of which are independent local businesses – to get thousands of people pedalling.”

As we face a cost-of-living crisis and rising fuel prices, we know that some people are looking to cycling as an affordable alternative to driving, especially for shorter journeys. This scheme will help people to make that change and feel all the benefits that cycling brings

Suzanne Forup, Cycling UK’s head of development for Scotland

Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie said:

“I’m pleased that Scottish Government funding is again supporting the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme in 2022.

“This high-impact programme is helping people that need it most by offering free bike repairs of up to £50 to people otherwise unable to afford them. With 50,000 free repairs carried out by over 300 bikes shop across Scotland since the scheme launched, we’re making it easier for people to choose cycling.

“With a commitment to investing record funding of at least 10% of the transport budget on active travel by 2024/25, we will continue to invest in similar transformative programmes to make Scotland an Active Nation, where more people choose to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter everyday journeys.”