FREE bikes are set to be handed to residents living in disadvantaged areas in Basildon, to get people pedalling their way to a healthy lifestyle. 

Active Essex’s Essex Pedal Power scheme has been expanded to Basildon, as 5,000 bikes will be handed out across Essex by 2025. This includes 600 in Basildon, in a bid to increase cycling, active travel and levels of physical activity. 

Initially, the scheme will focus on residents living in Felmores and Fryerns estates, which have been deemed to be some of the most deprived areas of Basildon, as to staff at Basildon Hospital. 

A spokesman for Active Essex said: “The scheme aims to provide a low-cost and sustainable mode of travel, helping Basildon residents to access employment, education opportunities and key local services.

“As part of Essex Pedal Power Basildon, there are aspirations to develop new community cycling groups to provide more opportunities to cycle and help people develop social connections through cycling.

“Bikes will be available to residents living in Felmores and Fryerns, as well as staff working at the Basildon University Hospital.

“In addition, the Essex Pedal Power team will be working closely with local organisations to support people experiencing significant barriers to cycling, by providing them with a bike and other services.”

Every resident that receives a bike will also be provided with a helmet, lock, pump, lights, and can access free learn-to-ride and cycle confidence training.

Essex Pedal Power launched in Clacton and Jaywick in June 2021, and hundreds of bikes have already been distributed.

The project works by initially loaning a brand new bike, free of charge, to eligible residents in Basildon for a period of six months.

If the bike has been used regularly during this time, the applicant will be able to keep the bike at the end of the loan.

In phase one of the project, residents living in Felmores and Fryerns will be eligible for a bike if they are aged 16-plus and do not currently own a working bike.

There will also be a number allocated to NHS staff working at Basildon Hospital.