Organisation
Lambeth Council
Theme
Transport
Start Date
Jan 2014
Goals
Reduce traffic, Shift modes
The initial upfront cost of a bike or even knowing which type of bike to get can be a barrier to start cycling. ‘Try Before You Bike’ was set up to address this by enabling Lambeth residents to try out a bike before deciding whether to purchase one. The scheme has helped many residents make the transition to cycling helping them find the right type of bike for their needs and giving them the confidence to cycle.
Measures taken to achieve goals
Lambeth Council has teamed up with ‘Peddle My Wheels,’ a social enterprise who create and operate sustainable and active travel projects in partnership with the public sector and local communities. Try Before you Bike has been designed to remove the upfront cost which can be a barrier to start cycling. A bike can cost hundreds of pounds; Try Before You Bike enables residents to try out a new or nearly new bike for a monthly fee. Costs are kept as low as possible, and the project offers a range of bikes to help residents find one that meets their needs including children’s bikes, adult peddle bikes, electric bikes, adaptive bikes and electric cargo bikes.
The scheme has been designed to cater to a multitude of needs. Monthly fees start from £30 and there are a range of bikes available including kid’s bikes, standard hybrid or folding bikes, electric bikes, adapted bikes, and electric cargo bikes. Meaning there are a wealth of options available for members of the community. All the bikes are good quality from makes like Raleigh and Ridgeback and the online ordering system makes it simple to select the right size and style bike to suit participants needs.
Cargo Bike Streatham Hill
Over 600 bikes rented in Lambeth through this scheme
Try Before You Bike also provides essential accessories like lights, lock and a helmet to help people get started without any additional costs and the monthly trial fee also includes insurance against theft and damage. The bikes are delivered to residents’ doors by cycling experts to help people get started. If participants are cycling beginners, they can access free cycle skills sessions through the Council’s cycle training program.
Following a trial period of renting a bike, if participants love their bike, they can buy it and the hire fees previously paid are deducted from the price. The balance for the cost of the bike can be paid through an interest free payment plan to spread the cost.
Thousands of Londoners have started cycling using this flexible, supportive scheme and it is a great way to get into cycling if you are not ready to go out and buy a new bike yet. From 2017-2023, there have been over 600 bikes rented in Lambeth through this scheme, with nearly half purchased.
To find out more sign up with Peddle My Wheels who run the programme on behalf of Lambeth Council
Sign up now (opens in a new window)‘After an unsuccessful summer trying to learn on our own bike, Cairo is off to a flying start on his Cuda bike. The lightweight bike is great for his balance and confidence. Very grateful that one of the parents at school told us about this great value scheme!’
– Cairo
Try Before You Bike – Ciaro
‘We trialled the Babboe mountain for 3 months from PeddleMyWheels and have been thanking our lucky stars we found them. It’s a massive expense to buy outright and we use it for our 14-mile round trip commute to school. We needed to be sure we’d use it in all weathers and that the bike would cope with all the hills and the distance. I’m happy to say we all love it and thanks to the trial we’re absolutely sure we want to keep it (it’s also given us a bit of time to save up). PeddleMyWheels have been super helpful, coming over to change a flat tyre and fix a frozen lock in no time. Couldn’t recommend them more- so friendly and such a brilliant initiative.’
– Louise Nichol
‘The Lambeth “Try before you buy” bike scheme was a fantastic experience for us. We were able to get around all of central London (and more!) during Covid lockdown, without having to travel on public transport. We discovered fabulous routes along the Thames as far as Barnes, and all the wonderful London parks – with Battersea Park becoming a favourite. My wife was very sceptical about it as she is not familiar with cycling, but with the easy-to-use e-bikes rented to us, she discovered a new passion (which, at 69 years of age, is not bad!).’
– Ann and Giorgio
Try Before You Bike – Ann and Giorgio
‘I was so pleased about the Try-Before-You-Bike option as it's been a long time for me and cycling. It really helps and it boosted my confidence from 0 to 100 real quick. I'm enjoying cycling with confidence.’
– Ohnecia Barrett
