In the news: Essex Pedal Power Basildon begins distributing free bikes to Basildon Hospital staff
On 10 June 2023, the first of 150 free bikes were distributed to staff at Basildon Hospital through the Essex Pedal Power partnership project - delivered by The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS), supported by Essex County Council, Active Essex, Sport England and Basildon Borough Council.
Essex Pedal Power is a countywide programme looking to increase physical activity, active travel, and access to employment, education, and training opportunities by providing bicycles to local residents. Pedal Power provides access to a range of support, including learn to ride, bike maintenance and route planning advice.
Bikes are provided as part of a six-month loan, with recipients able to keep the bike for free if they use it regularly over the six-month period. For staff based at Basildon Hospital, the bikes aren't just to travel to work, but to use for any part of daily life, helping them to travel sustainably while also improving fitness.
Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, Leisure, Arts & Culture, Councillor Jeff Henry, said: "This is a really fantastic initiative that will transform the lives of Basildon Hospital staff that received the bikes, enabling them to cycle to work rather than take a long walk or by using other transport.
"It will improve their mental health and fitness, and hopefully get them to see how beneficial active travel can be. It will also reduce carbon emissions from transport -supporting our aim of becoming a carbon net zero borough by 2050."
Fiona Ryan, Managing Director at Basildon Hospital said: "Essex Pedal Power is a ground-breaking initiative that will help our Basildon-based staff travel sustainably - and all for free. Initiatives such as this, which is in partnership with Basildon Council and Essex County Council, have been made possible by our Anchor Programme and the joint work of our Estates, Sustainability, Workforce, and Wellbeing teams."
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Published 14 June 2023