How Think Circus transformed their outreach with the Cycle Access Fund
Think Circus SCIO is a charity based in Leith, Edinburgh. They are a circus with a purpose far beyond the Big Top. Their sessions share the wonder and creativity of the circus art form to improve the confidence, imagination and life prospects of children and young people.
Established in 2017, Think Circus reaches over 10,600 participants each year. Their proudest achievement is running regular youth and family programmes in Leith, Newhaven and Craigmillar. They aim to create a supportive community where failure is celebrated, confidence grows and the impossible becomes real.
Circus is an unexpected way to engage children and young people, and a much-needed way for adults to rediscover their playful, active side. Think Circus follows the model of social circus, which uses easy-to-learn skills like juggling, hula hooping and acrobatics in a positive and proactive culture. It's an inclusive and imaginative art form where outsiders can flourish and be celebrated. Social circus is also proven to improve confidence, mental and physical health and resilience.
Think Circus uses an inclusive and trauma-informed approach and integrates Decider Skills (emotional regulation tools) into their programmes. One third of their youth circus participants are neurodiverse, and one quarter come from the most deprived areas in Scotland.
As their work across Edinburgh grew, Think Circus needed a new, more sustainable way to transport equipment and reach communities more easily. That’s when the Cycle Access Fund became part of the solution.
The challenge of transporting the circus
Delivering circus workshops across multiple Edinburgh neighbourhoods requires a lot of gear: juggling balls, acrobatics mats and, most notably, dozens of hula hoops. Traditional methods such as driving and parking became increasingly problematic, especially with the introduction of the city’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Public transport was impractical, and parking often meant hauling heavy gear long distances on foot.
Think Circus needed a solution that was sustainable, efficient and reflective of their creative, community-driven approach.
A new approach
Think Circus had long been intrigued by the idea of using a cargo bike. In 2022, they were inspired by Dandelion, a large-scale Scottish arts project, which used cargo bikes to deliver outdoor events. The idea made sense not just practically but artistically. A colourful, kit-laden cargo bike felt like a natural extension of Think Circus's playful spirit and public presence.
When collaborators at Rowan Environmental Arts told them about the Cycle Access Fund, everything clicked into place. The Fund, which supports organisations helping those least likely to access a cycle, offered the financial support Think Circus needed to turn their idea into a reality.
Working with XYZ Cargo UK, Think Circus embarked on a detailed and highly collaborative design process. Their equipment needs were unusual as most importantly, they needed to carry up to 50 full-size hula hoops, which wouldn’t fit in a standard cargo box. MJ at XYZ Cargo met with the team multiple times to refine a custom design. The solution was to lengthen the cargo box without compromising stability, allowing it to safely and efficiently carry hula hoops, juggling props, acrobatic equipment and even a parasol for wet-weather workshops.
The bike was also designed to accommodate riders of varying heights, which is essential for Think Circus’s rotating team of volunteers and tutors. Every element was considered through the lens of practicality, safety and adaptability.
The result was not just a transport solution. It was a mobile circus hub: bright, functional, highly visible and built to bring joy wherever it went.
A bike that turns heads
Once on the road, the cargo bike quickly became a game-changer. It transformed how Think Circus delivered workshops, how they engaged with the public and how they were perceived by clients and communities.
"I found it to be much easier and more enjoyable than I thought it would be. People smile when they see the colourful bike brimming with circus kit, and this includes those in their cars!" said Cosmo, one of the tutors. "Kids shout about hula hoops or circus. Drivers are more patient. It changes how the journey feels."
The bike also made it possible to reach locations that were previously difficult or impossible to access with a car, such as parks and traffic-restricted areas. Now, Think Circus could bring a full workshop setup directly to the heart of community spaces.
Community impact
The cargo bike has become a recognisable focal point during workshops and events. With images of shows and links to their website printed directly on the bike, it acts as a mobile advertisement. Community members regularly stop to ask about the bike, the charity and their work. It invites conversation, curiosity and connection.
"We’re often asked for business cards, but we don’t really need them anymore. The bike does the job," the team noted.
More than just transport benefits
Beyond solving a logistical challenge, the cargo bike has brought a range of other benefits to Think Circus.
Financially, it reduces ongoing costs. There’s no need for petrol, van hire or frequent parking fees.
Environmentally, the shift to pedal power supports Think Circus’s commitment to sustainability. With Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone now in place, the cargo bike helps them reduce reliance on vehicles that contribute to air pollution and congestion.
Socially, the bike increases their visibility and access. It has opened up new conversations, helped the team reach more isolated venues and even allowed them to assist others. In one case, a tutor used the bike to help a client transport kit through a park where cars couldn’t reach. It was a small but powerful example of how active travel can support community needs in unexpected ways.
Why it matters
Think Circus's success highlights how the Cycle Access Fund can unlock powerful and creative solutions for organisations. By enabling access to a custom cargo bike, the Cycle Access Fund has helped Think Circus not only deliver their mission more efficiently but also live it more fully, promoting joy, health and human connection on every ride.
The Cycle Access Fund receives funding from a Scottish Government People and Place grant, administered and supported in the South-East of Scotland by SEStran.
