Free roadside bike repair service now open to all local key workers

A free roadside bike repair service for NHS Forth Valley staff has been extended to cover all local key workers following a successful six-week pilot.

Article Source: Forth Environment Link
Last Updated: 18 November 2020 15:03

FREE ROADSIDE BIKE REPAIR SERVICE NOW OPEN TO ALL LOCAL KEY WORKERS

A free roadside bike repair service for NHS Forth Valley staff has been extended to cover all local key workers following a successful six-week pilot.

Charity Forth Environment Link launched The Bike Medic initiative at the end of September to support and encourage key workers to keep on cycling to work during the coronavirus pandemic; especially during the cold and wet winter months.

The service was initially open to NHS staff, but is now available to all key workers across Forth Valley.

The free call-out service covers the whole of the Forth Valley Health Board region and operates in a similar way to car breakdown recovery, with bikes being repaired at the roadside for free or taken away for repair.

Onward travel is also covered, so if a bike can’t be easily fixed key workers will be offered a courtesy bike to allow them to finish their journey or will be given a lift to work or home.

KEEPING KEY WORKERS IN THE SADDLE

The scheme has been warmly received by NHS Forth Valley staff:

• Dr Raj Burgul, a Consultant Radiologist at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, was one of the scheme’s first call-outs. He said: “I was cycling down a quiet country lane in the pitch dark when I got a double puncture! I didn’t have a back-up plan… until I remembered about The Bike Medic. I’m so thankful for this prompt rescue service. I was safely taken home in the comfort of their electric van. In these stressful times this scheme gives us hospital staff confidence and security to keep on cycling, especially through the dark winter months.”

• NHS Forth Valley Clinical Coder Tracey-Anne Wilson has also benefitted from the free service. She said: “I got a puncture on my way home from work, so I phoned The Bike Medic. Ryan arrived within 15 minutes. As it was getting dark by this time, he put my bike in the van, gave me a lift home and fixed my bike outside my house. It’s a brilliant service which gives me peace of mind while commuting to work. It would have been a long walk home for me without this service. Keep up the good work!”

Over 60 health professionals are currently borrowing electric bikes and bikes from Forth Environment Link’s Active Travel Hubs in Stirling and Falkirk; with a further 300 cycles available to all key workers for free through the charity’s public bike share schemes, nextbike Stirling and Forth Bike.

NHS Forth Valley Occupational Therapist Karren Morrison said: “Having never been much of a cyclist before, I was lucky enough to be loaned an e-bike via the key worker scheme from Forth Environment Link’s Active Travel Hub back in April. Since that time, I have commuted daily from Brightons to Forth Valley Royal Hospital and have become a dedicated and enthusiastic convert. I can honestly say it has changed my life and I am committed to continuing.

“My only concern over this time has been the nagging worry of what would happen if I got a puncture or mechanical failure during the commute, as I would have no clue what to do. About 3 months ago I did in fact get a puncture on my way home from work. Luckily, it was a nice day and I managed to walk the last couple of miles home.

“I did wonder however what I would do if for example it had been a cold, wet, dark evening or I had been much further from home. So, I was absolutely delighted with the announcement of the support I would be linked with from the service of The Bike Medic. Sure enough a few weeks later the brakes were not working on my bike as I cycled home one night. I managed to limp home and phoned the Bike Medic who immediately arranged to take the bike away for repair.

“The introduction of this fantastic service, I believe, has given me the reassurance and confidence I need to continue to commute over the coming winter. I hope I don't need to use it but just knowing it is there has made such a difference to me. It has been a difficult time for the NHS and going into winter will present us all with significant challenges. For me cycling has become an important part of maintaining my health and well-being throughout the last 8 months and am sure that will continue.”

Forth Environment Link was initially inspired to provide cycling support to the NHS Forth Valley staff by a local nurse who approached one of the charity’s active travel hubs at the beginning of lockdown for help fixing her bike.

The charity’s Active Travel Co-ordinator, Ray Burr, said: “We offered the nurse an e-bike from our free lending library while her bike was in for repair and that snowballed into us providing 75 electric bikes for key workers at the height of lockdown, as well as wrap around cycling advice and support. Since then, we’ve been inundated with enquiries from key workers wanting to ditch the car and we’ve been only too happy to help by sourcing as many bikes as we can. We even have a waiting list; such is the demand for cycling!”

All local key workers in Forth Valley can now access The Bike Medic service for free by calling 03333 208635 between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday. General enquiries about the service can also be emailed to bikemedic@forthenvironmentlink.org

The scheme is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and Paths for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Stirling News

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Stirling shoppers invited to celebrate their furry friends in new Thistles photography competition

Thistles, shopping centre in Stirling, has teamed up with a local Community Interest Company, Paws for Progress, to launch a heart-warming photography competition.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!

Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.

Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026

Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.

Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.

Hidden treasures of Murrayfield

Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.

Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal

Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December

Festive days out to make the most of the season

From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.

SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu

Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.

National Wallace Monument wins Frankenstein approval from renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro

Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro made a personal visit to The National Wallace Monument before deciding to cast the iconic Stirling landmark in his new movie ‘Frankenstein’.

Time to Nominate Outstanding Companies for the 2026 Stirling Business Awards

The public has just two weeks left to nominate outstanding independent retailers for Go Forth Stirling BID’s annual Business Awards.

Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes

A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.

Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment

SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.

The Christmas tradition of the year is back...

Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!

First Bus gives Remembrance free travel for all Armed Forces, veterans and cadets

First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

Scotland Meats Germany

Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.

Scottish Ensemble brings warmth to wintry nights with Concerts by Candlelight tour

Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.

Feel the festive cheer at Dobbies Charity Christmas Shopping Night

Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.

Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.

The Scottish Excellence Awards are open for entries

Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.

Sterling Home brings festive cheer with heartfelt Christmas donation

Leading furniture retailer Sterling Home is lighting up the festive season with a generous donation of Christmas decorations and furniture to children’s hospices and hospitals across Scotland.

Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids

Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.

Have your say on new active travel project for south of Stirling city centre

People are being encouraged to have their say in the second stage of a consultation on four proposed active travel routes for the south of Stirling city centre.

Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk

The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk. 

Art Exhibition and Fashion Sale to Support Strathcarron Hospice

Strathblane artists are set to captivate the community with a charity art exhibition this weekend, aiming to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, Denny.

The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced

The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.

KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.

Popular Listings

Macrobert Arts Centre Stirling Castle The Albert Halls Stirling The National Wallace Monument Tolbooth Stirling

Free roadside bike repair service now open to all local key workers

A free roadside bike repair service for NHS Forth Valley staff has been extended to cover all local key workers following a successful six-week pilot.

Sponsored Links

Latest Stirling News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings