People in Glasgow who can't afford public transport to be offered free bikes in deprived areas

Glaswegians who can’t afford to get public transport will be offered bikes to use for free as part of a number of projects in the city.

Free annual hire of bicycles will be available for residents “living in the most deprived areas of Glasgow”, according to a council report.

Nextbike in partnership with Bike for Good are to run The Bikes for All scheme thanks to £28,000 funding from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) People and Place Programme. It is one of five projects sharing in a £774,818 SPT People and Place Programme fund awarded to Glasgow this year.

One of the schemes called Play Together on Pedals is being granted £126,218 to provide pre-school children with access to bikes.

The bulk of the cash – £495,600 – will be used for work carried out by Bike for Good – which runs a range of programmes including the provision of free refurbished bikes, long term bike rental and maintenance training. It also carries out a safe cycling initiative offering cycle training and confidence building rides among other activities.

Another scheme benefiting from £50,000 cash is Govanhill cycling hub Women on Wheels, which encourages women and their families to cycle.

Glasgow City Council had worked with organisations to develop proposals to make use of the funding.

A council report said: “The fund will allow GCC to continue to support community groups and third sector organisations who deliver key services to Glasgow residents of all ages and abilities.”

SPT decided to grant £774,818 in April, which was awarded to the council and accepted by officials under delegated powers.

Councillors sitting on the city administration committee will be given an update on the acceptance of the funds on Thursday.