We are helping to administrate a brilliant e-bike loan scheme (designed by Bradford Council’s Active Travel Social Prescribers) for up to 300 participants. The e-bike library will be open from Winter 2025 to August 2026.

We are targeting these three areas, and surrounds:

• Central Keighley
• Bradford Moor/Barkerend
• Manningham/ Girlington

Some engagement with us including info about your bike usage is expected in return for the free loan. Through this we aim to support you to cycle longer term, even after the bike has been returned.

How it works – step by step

Step 1: Fill out the Council’s form

Fill in this form as required by Bradford Council who have funded and designed the original scheme. You can check their criteria here. If you don’t qualify, still feel free to apply as we may be able to loan you a bike anyway if we have spare capacity.

(The current scheme ends in August, at which point a new version will be coming online, run by Capital of Cycling and funded by Active Travel England). With your permission the council can forward us your details and you may be eligible for this new scheme even if you don’t qualify within the original scheme. We do require that you live or work in Bradford District.

Step 2: We contact you / you book a handover

If you are successful following Step 1, we’ll be in touch to either offer further support (e.g. if you need to do some cycling lessons before taking the bike) OR to offer you a handover appointment.

Link for booking a collection appointment.

Step 3: Attend a handover

The collection handovers can take up to an hour. A full demo of the bike is provided, a chance to try it out and security etc., using locks and safety is advised on.

You need to bring Photo ID and something with your address on.

You’ll fill out a user agreement and photo consent form at this handover session.

Step 4: Ride the bike and tell us about it!

Ride the bike and engage with us about your use! We’ll send tips and updates, you can join our WhatsApp group and more. As a minimum we need to know how much you’re using the bike.

We ask you to fill out this form each week.

Step 5: Return the bike

Return the bike to us along with locks and provided equipment for sign-off. We’ll provide a range of advice about getting cycling under your own steam from this point on.

Link for booking a return appointment.

And fill in a final evaluation form.

Step 6: Be a bike user!

Get riding – either on a normal bike or e-bike of your own.

We can advise you about bikes that might be suitable and how to make it affordable, e.g. by paying in installments. You can buy second hand bikes cheaply (e.g. at UpCycle in Shipley), or if you’re in employment, using a Bike2Work scheme such as www.greencommuteinitiative.uk you could get 25% off the cost of an e-bike or regular bike.

Step 7: Spread the word

Spread the word about cycling and join one of the many fantastic cycling clubs or groups in the region to support your onward journey. Join the Bradford Cycling Campaign on Facebook and maybe be a Cycling UK member which will provide you with insurance and more.