Bikes For NHS & Keyworkers

Following the launch of our #BikesForNHS campaign in April, Hype Merseyside have loaned 186 bikes to NHS workers supporting the fight against COVID-19.

HYPE Urban Bikes which focuses on getting people involved in cycling – has also seen 67 unwanted bikes donated by the public and we are still appealing for more, so that they too can be refurbished and loaned to the NHS workers who applied for the scheme.

The scheme, which received hundreds of applications, was launched to allow staff on the frontline of the national health crisis save money by not having to take taxis when public transport wasn’t available, to save time and allow them to spend more time with their family (rather than waiting at bus stops and train stations) and to improve their own health and general fitness. 

The #BikesForNHS Merseyside initiative even gained the support of The Minister of State at the Department for Transport, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, who described it as a “fantastic scheme” in a Zoom call with organiser Matt Houghton.

During the call, which also included Jenny Box, Head of Behaviour Change in England, James Scott, Director of Behaviour Change at Cycling UK and Alexandra Jarvis, from the Department for Transport, wider initiatives to encourage people to take up cycling were also discussed.

Dawn, a Magenta Living tenant who is currently using the free bike scheme said: “The team at HYPE, Matt and Kev have been fabulous and super helpful. This is a great community project for local frontline key workers to utilise and it’s fantastic that my landlord, Magenta Living, is able to provide the support for projects like this, without them it wouldn’t exist! 

“I’m really enjoying using the bike which allows me to travel to and from work safely. It’s also allowed me and my son Thomas to spend time together on our bikes, touring around the Wirral and helping more of the local community as we can, whilst also keeping us both fit and healthy! Projects like this really do bring the community together by helping those who may not have had the opportunity to hire a bike previously. A big thank you to HYPE and Magenta Living for making this happen.”

Brian Simpson, Chief Executive of Magenta Living said: “I am thrilled that Magenta Living is supporting this scheme from our Community Fund, set up to help local organisations, such as HYPE, during the current COVID-19 crisis. This initiative has been a great success and we are pleased to support our tenants who are key workers through this scheme and recognise the fantastic work they do on the front line.

“Cycling also provides great health and wellbeing benefits which are so important, especially during the current situation. Providing free bikes through this initiative has provided a great option for our customers to reach their place of work in a safe, timely and healthy way as well as helping with our climate change agenda.”

Hype’s latest project, Hype Urban Bikes, will also open to the public this month, with bikes available to hire for six or twelve month periods, for just £1 per day.

Matthew added: “Cycling is a sustainable, healthy and environmentally friendly way to travel to work and for leisure. We believe that it should be accessible to all and our new hire service puts it much more firmly within people’s reach. 

“Bikes will be available to hire out of our new unit at the Environmental Innovations Centre in Birkenhead and we also plan to run some family maintenance sessions during the summer holidays, to encourage and educate people on the joy of cycling even further.”

To view our progress in recent months through this project please follow our links here on our You Tube Channel:

Bikes For NHS April 2020

Bikes for NHS May 2020