Transport for Edinburgh’s Cycle Hire Scheme (Just Eat Cycles) is has announced the release of 100 free annual passes for NHS staff.
Earlier this year, funding of more than £500,000 from our Green Economy Fund was used by Edinburgh Cycle Hire to expand the network with 42 new hire points, which gives NHS access to 101 hire points across the city including sites at both Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the Western General Hospital.
NHS employees interested in accessing the 12 month pass should use their NHS email address (@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or @nhs.net), and send an email to support@edinburghcyclehire.com by June 22nd 2020. They will then be sent a code to redeem through the Just Eat Cycles app, which is free to download for iOS and Android. Passes, which cover both e-bikes and pedal bikes, will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Until 4 July 2020 the NHS passes will cover the use of e-bikes and pedal bikes for free up to 60 minutes per ride. After the initial two months the pass will revert to a normal annual membership for the remaining ten months. E-Bike trips will then cost 10p per minute.
Frank Mitchell, Chief Executive of SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the work NHS staff and other key workers are doing during this pandemic. We’re really proud the funding from SP Energy Networks has allowed Transport for Edinburgh to expand its Edinburgh Cycle Hire scheme and install more hire points, which help our essential workers travel to and from work around the city in a green and healthy way that supports the official Scottish Government and NHS guidance. This is just one of the ways we’re supporting our NHS during the Covid-19 crisis and I’m sure it will make a real difference for those who can benefit from the scheme.”
Alex Macdonald, General Manager of Just Eat Cycles, said: “We want to thank all NHS employees for their incredible efforts on the frontline. It is a privilege to support these people with free access to e-bikes and pedal bikes during the current crisis - we hope it provides some respite to those working hardest to keep us all safe.”
Developed in partnership with Sustrans Scotland and Edinburgh Cycle Hire operators Serco, the fee pass scheme for NHS workers has been made possible by funding from Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Partnership programme.
George Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh, said: “Transport for Edinburgh are delighted that Transport Scotland have provided funding to allow access to The Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme for NHS staff who are fulfilling such vital roles at this time.”
Sustrans Scotland Director, Karen McGregor, said: “In the Covid-19 crisis, cycling can offer a healthy and convenient transportation choice for many. And so long as the 2m social distancing is observed, it can help people keep a safe physical distance from others. We are delighted to be able to provide funding to support NHS staff with their travel during the pandemic.”
The e-bikes have a maximum supported speed of 15mph and were introduced to Edinburgh’s scheme at the start of March.
The scheme run by Serco on behalf of Transport for Edinburgh launched in September 2018. At full capacity, there are more than 101 hire points located in the city, and around 500 pedal bikes across the fleet using technology by Urban Sharing, the operators of cycle hire schemes in Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen.