Free bicycles for key workers in Derby

Published: 1 April 2020

Wheels to Work and Life Cycle UK are delighted to be able to offer FREE bicycles to key workers in or around Derby to get around during these very difficult times. Social distancing and scaled back public transport is creating problems for some of these people to carry on their vital work

This new element to the partnership between Wheels to Work and Life Cycle UK is only for key workers as defined by the Government, many of whom are working on the frontline of the NHS.  These key workers are people whose jobs are vital to public health and safety during the coronavirus lockdown. Because their work is so vital, the Government is keen to ensure that they are able to carry out their jobs with as little restriction as possible so it is vital they are able to get to their place of work.

Wheels to Work’s Coronavirus Key Worker Bicycle Scheme will give any eligible key worker a reconditioned bicycle to the value of £100 through Bike Back Derby. Although their Derby depot is currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, they will open at set times to be able to hand the bikes over.

To apply, email Wheels to Work providing name, address and phone number, evidence of key worker status and be able to provide photo ID (upon collection). Applications will only be accepted through this route. People must NOT turn up at Bike Back Derby without having first applied through Wheels to Work. If people qualify, details will be passed Bike Back Derby to provide a bicycle up to the value of £100 that is in stock.

Key worker bike collections will be by appointment only on Tuesdays between 12.00pm and 7.00pm or Wednesdays from 10.00am until 4.00pm.  Appointments will be well spaced to avoid multiple people turning up at once to respect the social distancing regulations.   Depending on demand, these times may be reviewed.

Laura Mitchell, Wheels to Work’s Project Manager said:

It is great to be adding another element of work to our long-standing partnership with Lifecycle Derby. In this difficult time, it is important to have found a way to support key workers with their transport needs.

Jon Hughes, Manager at Life Cycle UK said:

Life Cycle UK and Wheels to Work have worked closely together in Derby for the past 7 years, delivering sustainable transport options to people of all backgrounds.  From students to medical staff, jobseekers and refugees, our partnership has been both effective and significant in helping the people of Derby City get to their studies, jobs or training in an environmentally sustainable way.   The partnership has delivered 1000’s of bikes through our schemes which in turn helps Life Cycle UK achieve their goals of transforming lives through cycling and we are delighted to be able to provide bikes to key workers at this incredibly challenging time.

Wheels to Work has been working with Lifecycle Derby for a number of years, providing vouchers for bicycles to help people get to work, training or education, mostly in and around Derby. For longer journeys, especially in the more rural parts of Derbyshire Wheels to Work can provide mopeds, although the moped element of the scheme is temporarily on hold to new beneficiaries due to Coronavirus. We are however creating an enquiries database and will respond to all enquiries when the situation is clearer.

Life Cycle UK runs a community bicycle recycling scheme known as Bike Back Derby. They take donations of unwanted bicycles from the public and completely refurbish them to get them back into use. The bicycles are then sold at affordable prices to encourage more local people to cycle, particularly those on a low-income.

For more information email Wheels to Work.

Business, Health, Public safety, Transport