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CTC has published the results of its 2015 Department for Transport-funded Big Bike Revival, and they were positive enough to persuade the DfT is to provide a further £500,000 to extend the programme. The £1m Big Bike Revival aims to rescue "shed" bikes and to encourage people to cycle more. 24,000 bikes were revived under last year’s initiative.
CTC used 1600 family-friendly fun events at 90 bicycle recycling centres to entice people back into cycling.
CEO Paul Tuohy said: “Almost half of us own bikes but nearly two-thirds have not used them in the past year, which indicates there could be many more people cycling regularly if it wasn’t for some barrier in their way, such as a basic mechanical failure."
He added: "The Big Bike Revival has proved that with some simple promotion of existing local bicycle recycling centres, people learn how simple it is to repair a puncture, or fix a chain, and get themselves more active by cycling again."
The DfT’s cash injection was revealed today at an event at London’s Design Museum, attended by cycling minister Robert Goodwill and former EastEnders and Love Actually star, Martine McCutcheon.
Goodwill said: “We are determined to create a cycling nation and the Big Bike Revival is a fantastic initiative getting impressive results reviving old and unused bikes so people can begin their cycling journeys."
McCutcheon said: “Helping people to fall back in love with their bike and see how it can help them get around is so important – that’s why I support the Big Bike Revival.”
Over 50,000 people have benefitted from the project to date, with nearly half of them from a deprived neighbourhood. CTC said 3,500 people have started to commute by bike, and 21,000 people are now cycling more often.
CTC claimed that for every £1 invested in the Big Bike Revival there was a £6 benefit to the economy.
