Birmingham is riding towards being a cycle city

Birmingham – a town where less than 3% commute on bike – has received a much-needed push from Raleigh. They are supplying 5,000 bikes to the city, in the hope it will encourage the locals to cycle.

3,000 of the bikes will be given away to those who wish to cycle but can’t afford to. The remaining 2,000 will be available for hire at different points around Birmingham, similar to the Boris Bikes scheme in London.

Lisa Trickett, a cabinet member for Birmingham council, said, “We have got some bike hire schemes, like the Brompton bikes, and we are also going to be offering bikes in various hubs around the city.

“But this is about giving 3,000 bikes to Brummies who want to cycle but the cost of purchasing a bike is stopping them.”

In order to get one of the free bikes, people must take a cycling proficiency test.

The ‘Big Birmingham Bikes’ scheme is all part of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution – a £24 million programme to create a cycling network to support the Birmingham Mobility Action Plan.

Coun Tricket added, “We are improving all the cycling routes within 20 minutes of the city centre. There are roads where it is difficult to cycle.

“In truth there are roads where it is difficult to drive – that is what Birmingham Mobility Action Plan is about. We have to get more cars off the road.”

The council intends to increase the percentage of local cyclists to 10% by 2030.

Share this article