Tackling Cycling Inequalities In Essex - Essex Pedal Power

Essex Pedal Power scheme is focused on low-income communities where the need is highest, and the benefits of becoming regularly active through cycling are greatest. Our ambition is to address this through a large scale project. This scheme will be a priority for Essex County Council, as it links directly to the ECC Place and Public Health Business Plan, as well as plans for Business Recovery and Climate Change. Different approaches will be tested across Essex, including in Tendring replicating the successful Big Birmingham Bikes scheme delivered by TAWS which has been running for the past 7 years.

The aspiration is to make this a county wide scheme to provide free bikes and support to up to 10% of the most deprived communities across the county. To begin with, the scheme would pilot in Jaywick and the 5 most deprived wards in Clacton (Alton Park, Bocking Elms, Pier, St Marys and Rush Green), with a plan to provide up to 3000 local people with new quality bikes in the pilot phase. These areas are some of the most deprived in Essex. This equates to approx 31,000 residents in total, with a plan to give away 3000 bikes in the pilot phase. (ratio of 1:10).

Essex County Council is looking for a provider who is able to supply, potentially, up to 3000 bikes in phases from April 2021 to March 2024, acting as a large bike shop for the client (Essex County Council) with a catalogue of products available for supply.

The range of bikes will vary depending on the need of the individuals, including adult hybrid bikes, and bikes suitable for children, disabled people, girls and women, older people, overweight and obese people, and couriers.