Monklands residents have been getting on their bikes in the past year – with cycling seeing a 44 per cent increase in participation since the first lockdown in March 2020.
NHS Lanarkshire statistics indicate a surge in its popularity during the period of coronavirus restrictions, including a 60 per cent sales uplift being reported by cycle retailers.
Health board officials say that before the pandemic, only one in five Lanarkshire households owned a bike, a figure below the national average of one in three; and they were keen to promote its benefits to physical and mental health.
They have since run a “bike amnesty”, which has seen more than 70 second-hand cycles donated to grateful new owners, while staff have also teamed up with retailers and community organisations to arrange support ranging from bike loans to maintenance support.
NHS Lanarkshire had noted that “with coronavirus restrictions putting a stop to many activities, an emerging trend was the noticeable increase in cycling – [and] due to this, demand and cost for bikes increased, which meant families on lower incomes may have struggled to purchase their own”.
They launched the bike amnesty, which resulted in dozens of donations of cycles suitable for all ages from adults to children, largely from NHS Lanarkshire staff.
It took place in collaboration with North Lanarkshire’s restorative justice team, who serviced and supplied the bikes to their new owners.
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Health improvement staff member Paul Wright said: “We were keen to encourage people to get out on their bikes, but knew a proportion of individuals and families didn’t have the means.
“We asked our staff if they could donate any bicycles they may have had spare – the response was incredible and we were delighted to support residents to own their own bike.”
Restorative justice service manager Jim Curtis added: “We’ve been providing a bicycle rehoming service for some time, and the link with NHS Lanarkshire was hugely welcome during a time of unprecedented demand.
“The reaction from people receiving a bike in the lead-up to Christmas is proof of how valuable this service is.”
Lanarkshire green health partnership provided helmets, lights and locks for some of the donated cycles, and manager Marie McKeown said: “We are delighted to support this initiative which supports more people to access the physical and mental health benefits of being active outdoors.”
NHS Lanarkshire also joined forces with several retailers to set up free bike loans for staff; and promoted the repair scheme run by Cycling UK at www.cyclinguk.org/ScotCycleRepair which provides free maintenance up to the value of £50, to help residents access free support.
