Capital of Cycling 
Appeal for Bikes!
Please get in touch if you have an unwanted bike to donate. We can collect or you can drop the bike off at Capital of Cycling, Rawson Road, BD1 3SH.
Please fill out this form about the bike you wish to donate. If you need to speak to somebody first, you can call or email info@capitalofcycling.org.
About the scheme
Capital of Cycling is working with other charities and volunteers to offer free bike loans to support NHS staff, carers and key workers across Bradford (www.capitalofcycling.org/nhs).
Over 100 bikes have already been loaned.
Those benefiting have included cleaners, a clinical director, nurses, doctors, GPs, emergency care assistants, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Many have been working in Covid-19 wards.
Anthony Thomson from Margaret Carey Foundations’ Bradford Bikery said, “Reduced public transport availability, the need to maintain social distancing and prevent transmission whilst commuting made bikes seem like a very good option for people working for the NHS or supporting its work”.
Capital of Cycling’s David Robison said, “The scheme supports staff in maintaining exercise during the lock-down as well as providing free transport. It’s a small but hopefully useful contribution to the crisis.”
The scheme is running low on bikes and has requests for loans coming in every day – so donations of unused bikes would be very welcome!
The scheme is also supplying bikes to other key workers, so far including probation workers, an engineer, police, a 999 call-centre operative and care workers.
Background:
This is a collaborative project with resources provided by Capital of Cycling and Margaret Carey Foundation with support from WYCA and Cycling UK.
So far, the bikes have been sourced mainly from Capital of Cycling’s fleet with donations from Margaret Carey Foundation and the Leeds-based co-op Pedallers Arms. Members of the public have also donated their own bikes. Baildon residents Martin and Nancy Tordoff donated two fully working bikes to the scheme saying, “We are proud to be able to support, this is a really good scheme.”
The scheme was devised following discussions in mid-March with Matthew Prescott of Bradford Institute of Health Research. In 2019, the Bradford Institute for Health Research raised £2000 through a gruelling charity bike ride. The funds helped the cycling charities distribute 60 bikes to local school children. (www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/17692136.bradford-research-team-celebrate-epic-cycle-challenge)
Feedback about the scheme
“I work for the NHS and saw the offer of a free bike loan on our work email. I am using cycling during this difficult lockdown time to maintain fitness and to help relieve stress. My bike is currently out of action so I am extremely grateful for the loan. Thank you so much!” Jodie Marsden, NHS
“I think this is a brilliant initiative you are running.” Tracey Kaye, NHS
“We serve homeless and asylum seeker vulnerable patients and are under severe pressure as we prepare for the imminent pandemic. I would really benefit from any kind of folding bike.” Dr John Connolly, Clinical Director, York St Clinic and GP at Bevan Healthcare.
To apply for the scheme, a short online form needs to be filled out, available from this link: www.capitalofcycling.org/nhs.
Appeal for Bikes!
We are running out of bicycles to loan so please get in touch if you have an unwanted bike to donate. We can collect or you can drop the bike off at Capital of Cycling, Hall Ings BD1 5SD.
Please fill out this form about the bike you wish to donate. If you need to speak to somebody first, you can call Anthony 07541093660 or email info@capitalofcycling.org.
If you want to support this work, you can donate via our Fundraiser Page on Facebook or via PayPal using the link above.
I can drop off a bike which needs a little attention. When are you open?
Hi Peter,
We just have Anthony in the building fixing bikes for this project at the moment so it varies depending on if he’s dropping off or picking up bikes in the van. Best thing is to give him a bell on the number in this page, or send a text to arrange a convenient time for both of you. Thanks a lot!
Dave