Free Bikes Pilot Schemes for School Age Children: FOI release

Information requested

Using FOI Scotland could you tell me how many children and the numbers in each area who received a free bicycle from the SNP government? I would also like to know how much each bicycle cost and how much it cost to run to rack up 4 million of taxpayers money?

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. The reasons why we don't have the information are explained below.

To take each of your questions in turn: "Could you tell me how many children and the numbers in each area who received a free bicycle from the SNP government?"

The Scottish Government does not hold this information as the free bikes pilot programmes were not required to report data in this way.

"How much each bicycle cost"

The Scottish Government does not hold this information as the free bikes pilot programmes were not required to report data in this way. More information on the pilot programme, including on the delivery and procurement models followed by the pilots can be found in the Research Scotland independent evaluation: Evaluation of Free Bikes Pilots for School Age Children Who Cannot Afford Them - Final Evaluation Report | Transport Scotland

"How much it cost to run to rack up 4 million of taxpayers money?"

The total cost of the pilot programme from August 2021 to March 2023 was £4,006,785. This includes the costs to run the pilot projects such as staffing and other overheads, and the cost of safety accessories such as helmets, lights and locks.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.