Cycle Access Fund is helping more people cycle in Glasgow

Although Partick is often seen as an affluent area of west Glasgow, some residents face financial hardship. Annexe Communities and Partick Housing Association provide community-based services and activities that reduce isolation, improve health and help people build skills and confidence.

Since January 2024, Cycling UK’s Cycle Access Fund has provided 55 bikes and one trike to people referred by Annexe Communities and Partick Housing Association. A further nine bikes have been requested, which would bring the total to 65.

Both organisations work with local partners to support residents most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, poor health and social isolation.

Securing cycles

Partick Housing Association promotes cycling and active travel by offering tenants subsidised, secure shared bike storage near its properties. However, many tenants who wanted to cycle didn’t own a bike or couldn’t afford one.

Housing officers and community partners identified people who could benefit. Some had previously owned bikes but could not afford to replace them, while others had not cycled for years. The scheme enables people to become more active, cut travel costs and rely less on cars for short journeys.

The Cycle Access Fund has been a valuable opportunity to provide bikes for people who may not be able to afford them or know that cycling support is available Anthony Coia, Communications and Engagement Officer at Partick Housing Association

Anthony Coia, Communications and Engagement Officer at Partick Housing Association commented: “The Cycle Access Fund has been a valuable opportunity to provide bikes for people who may not be able to afford them or know that cycling support is available.

“Partick is a compact urban area, with most places only five minutes away by bike, so cycling is often more practical than driving. We provide subsidised bike storage for our tenants and are keen to see more local people take up this opportunity.”

Trying a trike

Zaheer Sadiq received his trike in April 2026. He had always wanted to cycle but, because of poor balance following back surgery as well as vertigo, couldn’t ride a bicycle.

After hiring a trike during a day trip to Millport with friends, he realised it was a suitable alternative, but he couldn’t afford one himself. When he learned that funding was available, he was very keen to be included via Partick Housing Association, using the funding to purchase a trike.

He says: “I’m having a ball with it. I have used it almost every day and it has been an absolute blast.

“I am a full-time carer for my mother and need to collect specific shopping items for her each day. I can cycle through the park to the supermarket in seven minutes on the trike, compared with 11 minutes by car. I also play tennis three or four evenings a week. I used to drive, but the trike is quicker.

“Before the trike, it used to be a bit difficult to get to the shops because I’d have to factor in time to get to my car and parking there and then finding a space when I got back (which in our area can be a nightmare), whereas now I can get to the docs in two minutes, pharmacy in five minutes and supermarkets in seven minutes, quick in and out and back home with no fuss.”

Triking to tennis

He also uses the trike to get to his tennis matches three or four times a week. “I always used to take the car, but the trike is quicker and gets me warmed up before I even hit a ball.”

In fact, Zaheer previously made most of his journeys by car, but it was scrapped shortly before he received the trike. He hasn’t needed to replace it, as the trike saves him time and money on local journeys. He describes the trike as “a bit of a saviour”.

He adds: “My trike has been a real help, and I haven’t even considered getting another car. I’ve joined a car club for occasions when I need to take my mother to hospital or other appointments.

“I have saved so much money. I was spending about £50 on petrol a week and I didn’t even drive too much so that’s £200 a month already. But when you add in car insurance and road tax, that’s another £70 saved a month so it has been beneficial.

“The car club is £5 a month and I pay £7 an hour to hire the car so it is a great saving as I only use that three or four times a month.”

My trike has been a real help, and I haven’t even considered getting another car Zaheer Sadiq, Cycle Access Fund recipient

Annexe Communities

Annexe Communities is a community anchor organisation open to everyone, with targeted support for people experiencing social isolation, financial hardship or long-term health conditions. Its services include cost-of-living support, food distribution, social activities and health-focused programmes.

It also works with social-prescribing doctors to support recovery and improve health outcomes. The community café provides an informal place to connect and offers hot meals to people in need.

Volunteers with the organisation have received bikes through Cycle Access Fund, giving them the opportunity to get out and about and enjoy access to green spaces, as well as saving money on shopping trips.

The organisation’s General Manager, Kashif Anwar, said: “As a community organisation, we want to provide practical support, and we believe cycling can make a real difference to people’s health and finances.

“Through our cost-of-living group, we identified people who could reduce their travel costs by cycling. It offers an affordable, convenient way to get around and gives people greater freedom.

“We now see many people cycling to our groups or volunteering activities. It is wonderful to see the positive difference this initiative is making.”