'Gear shift' unveils £50 vouchers for bike repairs

Boris pledges golden age for cycling - with £50-off available online tonight

 

Cyclists celebrating Boris Johnson's moves to create 'a golden age of cycling' with a February pledge of £2bn on segregated cycleways can make it a double-whammy tonight by applying for a £50 voucher to repair their 'unused' bikes.

The government today signalled its desires to help in the fitness fight against obesity and COVID-19 by announcing the creation of Active Travel England, a strengthening of the Highway Code and cycling to be 'prescribed' by doctors, to the delight of many observers.

But it also unveiled a 'Fix your bike' scheme, which people can apply for online here from 1145pm tonight. Those shops that want to register as a repairer, meanwhile, can do so here.

Under the scheme, they can get a £50 voucher towards repairs - with a limit of two vouchers per family - on the Energy Saving Trust's website. The scheme is open 'to anyone in England who has an unused cycle in need of a repair'. However, as there are a limited number of vouchers available, applicants are being asked consider the needs of others before applying for a voucher and to not delay making planned repairs outside of the scheme 'should your circumstances allow it'.
Vouchers can only be used with bike repairers or mechanics that are registered for the scheme in England, and up to two vouchers can be claimed per household.

A full list of terms and conditions and eligibility criteria is provided when you register.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "From helping people get fit and healthy and lowering their risk of illness, to improving air quality and cutting congestion, cycling and walking have a huge role to play in tackling some of the biggest health and environmental challenges that we face.

"But to build a healthier, more active nation, we need the right infrastructure, training and support in place to give people the confidence to travel on two wheels.

"That's why now is the time to shift gears and press ahead with our biggest and boldest plans yet to boost active travel - so that everyone can feel the transformative benefits of cycling."