Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, ‘Try before you bike’ scheme

• Location: Solihull, West Midlands 

• Purpose: Allow residents to try incorporating cycling into their everyday life without the initial expense of purchasing an e-bike

• Description: As part of the West Midlands Cycle and Walk Programme, Solihull Council teamed up with Peddle My Wheels to give residents the opportunity to hire an e-bike, relevant accessories, and bike insurance from £50 for six months on a rolling monthly contract. They also offer a confidence training session with a qualified instructor. Bikes can then be purchased with any money paid during the hire period taken off the purchase price. If employers offer a Cycle to Work scheme, residents can pay any outstanding balance through salary sacrifice, saving up to 42 percent. Residents have expressed on Solihull Council’s social media that they have enjoyed participating in the scheme and have found it beneficial to their mental and physical health. 

• Funding: West Midlands Cycle and Walk Programme and UK Government funding

• Conservative Councillor/Council Lead: Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, Cllr Ken Hawkins

• Further Reading: ‘Try before you bike’ scheme in Solihull, ‘Try before you bike’ scheme comes to Solihull, Try before you bike scheme