Scottish Government’s scheme to distribute free bicycles to school age children who can’t afford them: FOI release

Information requested

I’d like to find out more about the Scottish Government’s scheme to distribute free bicycles to school age children who can’t afford them:

1. When did this scheme officially launch?
2. How much has been spent on buying new bikes for children as part of this scheme so far?
3. What is the total budget for the scheme, and how long is it to run for?
4. Please tell me how many bikes have been distributed to children as part of this scheme in total across Scotland so far.
5. Please tell me how many bikes have been distributed to children as part of this scheme, broken down by local authority area, so far.
6. Please tell me how much money has been spent on bikes for children, broken down by local authority area, so far.

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.

When did this scheme officially launch?

17 August 2021.

How much has been spent on buying new bikes for children as part of this scheme so far?

The total cost of the pilot scheme to date is £2,391,568.49.

What is the total budget for the scheme, and how long is it to run for?

The budget for the pilot phase of the scheme is £2,500,000. The pilot phase has been extended to the end of March 2023.

Please tell me how many bikes have been distributed to children as part of this scheme in total across Scotland so far.

The total number of bikes issued to date is 2857. In addition, fleet bikes delivered by Sustrans Scotland to participating schools, but not given to any individual child, have been used 4448 times.

Please tell me how many bikes have been distributed to children as part of this scheme, broken down by local authority area, so far.

This information is not held.

Please tell me how much money has been spent on bikes for children, broken down by local authority area, so far.

This information is not held.

About FOI

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