Low-income Glasgow residents offered free bike share membership
It’s the latest effort by Scotland’s second city to try and address ‘transport poverty’ as modality shifts towards cleaner, greener options.
In total, 100 OVO Bikes memberships will be handed out complimentary to those struggling to pay for their own. The initiative, which aims to improve access to such schemes among low earners, forms part of Shared Transport for All, which has just entered its second year.
Run by CoMoUK, so far the scheme has engaged more than 150 organisations and 400 people in targeted communities, raising the profile and understanding of shared transport offerings, including both bike and car clubs. For 2024, £49,000 has been set aside for work alongside housing associations and tenants in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with provision including group rides, cycling safety workshops and signposting localised sustainable transport networks and modes.
‘Glasgow’s bike share scheme has been a great success but there will be thousands of people across the city who have never used it,’ said Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of CoMoUK. ‘By offering year-long free memberships, we hope to give people who have not considered making cycling their main mode of transport a great reason to try it out.
‘With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis putting intense pressure on household budgets, there has never been a better time to give bike sharing a go,’ he continued. ‘As well as being good for people’s health, such schemes are also good for Glasgow and the planet, as they dramatically reduce congestion on our roads as well as carbon emissions.’
Find out how to apply for a free membership here.
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Image: Chris Arthur-Collins