Green Commute Initiative is committed to encouraging more people to cycle to work and during this time of national emergency, GCI has turned its attention to helping the NHS workforce get to work by giving away bikes.
With public transport suspected of being super-spreaders of the Covid-19 virus, commuters are shying away and as a result passenger numbers are 90-95% down and timetables are being cut. Of course, this means our essential key workers are looking for alternative ways to get to work. This is particularly crucial for NHS staff and unfortunately, its become a worrying issue for many of them.
In response, Green Commute Initiative has launched the NHS Bike Project and has asked its local community to donate unwanted but roadworthy bikes. The team, with assistance from the Baydon Flyers cycling group, will refurbish and service the bikes and donate them to any NHS staff member who needs a bike. No hire or loan agreements, just simply free of charge gifts. GCI will also work with two of its corporate clients; Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust to distribute bikes to their staff.
A dedicated web page has been set up with more information and steps to follow: https://greencommuteinitiative.uk/the-nhs-bike-project/ Anyone wishing to donate a bike should send a send a photo and details to: nhsbikes@greencommuteinitiative.uk. For bikes located close to GCI’s offices in West Berkshire, it may be possible to arrange collection. Any NHS worker who wishes to have a bike should register their interest at nhsbikes@greencommuteinitiative.uk
Rob Howes, GCI’s Managing Director, said “I am delighted that we are able to help our brilliant NHS at this time of national crisis. As a social enterprise, giving back to society is in our DNA, and our NHS Bike Project aims to help those currently most in need. So far we have about 40 bikes to give away, free of charge, to 40 deserving NHS staff, from either front line nurses and doctors to those behind the scenes supporting the medical staff such as the porters, cleaners and administration teams. Hopefully we’ll receive more donations and we can even help more deserving people.”
