Question reference: S6W-18641
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 5 June 2023
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Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 16 June 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on its plan to provide free bikes for all children of school age who cannot afford them, and how many bikes have been purchased for school children in each year since 2021.
Answer
The pilot period for the commitment ran from August 2021 to August 2022, and a final evaluation report has been published on the Transport Scotland website . Support was provided to delivery organisations to continue activities until 31 March 2023.
The total number of bikes issued during the pilot period was 2600, the total figure until March 2023 was 3800 and the final figure is due to be calculated next month.
Cycling Scotland, in collaboration with a number of community cycling organisations and national charities representing young people, have developed a programme for 2023/24 that has received £900,000 to continue offering cycles to young people facing financial barriers. As part of this years programme, they will work with Circular Communities Scotland to continue refining the model for delivery to ensure we can make the most out of reconditioned and recycled bikes and ensure as little waste as possible.