The pilot projects
Introduction
This chapter sets out the profile of the nine Free Bikes for Children pilot projects. It explores their broad approach and experiences of project set up.
Projects were designed to test different approaches, learn and adapt along the way.
Projects will not necessarily have followed their exact plans set out in their project proposal, as they tested their ideas. Projects talked openly to us about the challenges they experienced and how they addressed these, and it is important to note that these challenges were also anticipated, recognised and planned for in robust, regular risk registers for each project which were discussed on a monthly basis.
The pilots
The Free Bikes for Children Pilot Scheme aimed to test a range of methods of delivering free bikes to school age children who cannot afford them. It is not envisaged that there will be one preferred option, but rather a range of possible options for development. There is a strong focus on learning through the process, with regular monthly meetings with Transport Scotland, and opportunities for each project to reflect on learning and share this with the Project Board.
In June 2021, ten pilot proposals were submitted and considered by Transport Scotland. Eight of these proposals were taken forward. Six were launched in August 2021 and two shortly afterwards in September 2021. Two further proposals were developed and approved in autumn/winter 2021, taking the total funded projects to ten. One pilot organisation withdrew in spring 2022 for reasons not related to the pilot project.
The nine pilot projects were originally intended to run for between six and twelve months, completing their funded activity by August 2022. In summer 2022 further funding was provided to enable the continuation of some activity in each of the nine projects.
Project approaches
Each of the pilot projects took a different approach to delivering free bikes. They varied in size and scale, worked with different partners and used different methods of providing a free bike for young people. Some projects included a range of approaches, to provide an opportunity to test different methods. A summary of each project and their approach to August 2022 is provided below:
Angus Re-Cycles
A hub approach, refurbishing 500 bikes for young people with deprivation or care experience in Angus and Dundee.
Barnardo’s Gearing Up
Bikes and cycle training for 30 young people with life challenges in Forth Valley (working with Barnardo’s).
Bike for Good
A free bike subscription service for around 230 children entitled to free school meals in three schools in south Glasgow.
Clackmannanshire Bike Buddies
Focusing on one school cluster in Clackmannanshire, providing almost 200 bikes for young people to own using a universal opt-out model.
Cycling Friendly Secondary Schools
A grant programme funding 37 secondary schools across Scotland to purchase more than 500 bikes for pupils, for bike fleets, libraries, loans or ownership.
Equality Cycles
Cycling hubs in deprived areas in north east Glasgow, offering 300 bikes for ownership to people entitled to free school meals.
I Bike
Fleet and loan bikes (around 290) at 3 primary and 4 secondary schools in 3 local authority areas.
Pedal Up Shetland
Bikes issued to 50 children without bikes at time of Bikeability Scotland training on a library basis, to return when not needed. Bikeability Scotland cycle training is the national cycle training programme for school children, usually delivered in schools between P5 and S2.
Rock Up and Ride
Four week fun and free opportunities at 8 sites in Scotland, with up to 800 bikes available, issued to children who complete the blocks on an ownership basis.
For many of the projects, the idea for the pilots had emerged from existing work and understanding of need. Most lead partners already worked with young people in communities and/ or in the cycling sector and felt well placed to deliver a free bikes pilot. Where possible, the partners used existing contacts, relationships and project infrastructure to develop the projects and built on learning from existing approaches.
Example: Bike Buddies
The lead partner within Clackmannanshire Bike Buddies, Forth Environment Link, already had a travel hub set up in a school cluster and built on this for the pilot project. Building on and working alongside the hub helps to add value to the approach, connecting with the work of Active Clacks, fitting with circular economy and wellbeing economy priorities, and promoting the use of cycle networks. Connecting with the hub means that the project can explore continued use of the bikes from primary into secondary schools.
Example: Bike for Good
Bike for Good is piloting a bike subscription service for children and young people. It already ran a bike subscription service for adults, and had systems in place for managing this.
Example: Angus Re-Cycles
Angus Re-Cycles is refurbishing bikes for its pilots, and already had a service level agreement in place with Angus Council for recycling bikes. The infrastructure and model to deliver the project were already in place.
Example: I Bike
The lead partner within I Bike, Sustrans, already had the I Bike project established to encourage active travel within education. They were able to get set up quickly because they already had an existing schools programme in place, staff who knew the schools well, existing partners and connections. The programme complements the delivery of the Bikeability national cycle training programme in schools, putting fleets of bikes into schools to help deliver the Bikeability sessions.
Example: Cycling Friendly Secondary Schools
Cycling Scotland had an existing programme distributing grants to fund cycling based activity in schools. They had previously received requests from schools for bikes for children who could not afford them. The existing fund could fund bikes for a school bike fleet, but not for individual use. The pilot therefore was designed to meet this need.
Example: Rock up and Ride
The Rock Up and Ride pilot is based at eight sites across Scotland that had already benefitted from Cycle Facilities funding, providing an infrastructure for delivering cycle skills training. The cycle clubs were already established, and through the pilot the project aimed to get the clubs working with young people who would not normally get involved in club cycling.