Essex Pedal Power
Expanding access to active travel and strengthening active communities across Essex
Essex Pedal Power (EPP) has continued to grow as one of Essex’s flagship multi agency programmes, now entering its fifth year and demonstrating exceptional reach, value and impact. It provides free bikes to residents in the county’s most disadvantaged communities, to significantly increase cycling, active travel and physical activity levels.
During 2025/26, the programme experienced a significant period of expansion, increasing from four to six delivery locations across Essex and completing the distribution of the first large‑scale fleet of 4,000 new bikes to eligible residents in Clacton and Jaywick, Harwich and Dovercourt, Colchester, and Basildon. The programme has also reached two new communities; Harlow and Canvey Island, through a successful Sport England Place Partnership award, enabling the distribution of 750 bikes over the next two years, with more than 300 already in use by residents. In addition, a further funding secured from Sport England will sustain the programme’s impact in existing areas.
In 2025, Essex Pedal Power was prominently featured in a major national evaluation of free bike schemes, conducted by economic consultants Volterra for The Active Wellbeing Society. The report assessed 12,000 bikes distributed across Birmingham, Southall and Essex, finding that Essex Pedal Power delivers ‘Very High’ value for money, generating £12.60 in social benefits for every £1 invested. The evaluation highlighted wide‑ranging outcomes including increased physical activity, improved access to employment, strengthened community cohesion, and significant health benefits, estimating that free bike schemes could prevent up to 58 new cases of disease each year, saving the NHS around £1 million annually. The study also found transformative effects on wellbeing, with mental‑health improvements equivalent to around £10,000 of benefit per year per recipient, placing Essex Pedal Power at the forefront of evidence‑based national best practice.
Active Essex plays a central and strategic leadership role in Essex Pedal Power, shaping the programme’s direction, delivery and evidence base, as well as overseeing evaluation and communications, ensuring that insight, data and storytelling continues to strengthen programme quality and visibility. Its leadership has supported the successful expansion into new areas, secured major external investment and helped partners maintain consistent standards across bike distribution, community engagement and ongoing support. This sustained involvement has ensured that EPP remains not only a bike‑provision programme, but a catalyst for active, accessible and sustainable local environments where cycling becomes a realistic option for more residents.
The programme continues to deliver strongly against the Active Essex Implementation Plan. Key milestones include:
Although long‑term data on bike usage after six months is not yet available, the rapid expansion and high uptake demonstrate strong demand and significant behaviour‑change potential across participating communities. These achievements reinforce Essex Pedal Power’s vital role in creating active, accessible spaces and places that support residents to build regular movement into their daily lives.
Essex Pedal Power is underpinned by a broad partnership network whose collaboration has been essential to its success. Sport England has provided significant strategic and financial support, while the Active Wellbeing Society, Raleigh Bikes, and See Sense have contributed equipment, expertise and GPS tracking technology. Local Authorities across Basildon, Colchester, Tendring, Harlow and Castle Point have played a pivotal role in enabling local delivery, alongside community organisations such as Rainbow Services Harlow, Castle Point and Rochford School Sport Partnership, Wheels for All, Oxford Products and CVST. This collaboration has created a robust and joined‑up model, ensuring that bike distribution, training, maintenance and community activation work holistically to support residents at every stage.
Key Learnings
It's important to take time to reflect and understand the learnings from work undertaken, to focus on ways to improve in the future.
Transition
Long‑term behaviour change has shifted from giving out bikes to a community‑centred approach
Funding
Funding remains a challenge although recent awards reflect confidence in outcomes and potential.
Capacity
Shortage of staff has highlighted the need to develop local capacity to sustain delivery.
The ripple effects of Essex Pedal Power are already visible across communities. New and unexpected partnerships have formed - most notably with Basildon Hospital and several locally trusted organisations - strengthening the programme’s reach and community integration. The development of a recycled bike initiative has supported the circular economy, increasing access to affordable bikes while reducing waste. Beyond improved transport options, EPP has become a social hub in areas such as Clacton and Harwich, sparking the creation of community‑led cycling groups, newsletters and online communities that help address isolation and build local pride. These wider outcomes illustrate how active travel can drive far‑reaching social, environmental and wellbeing benefits.
Looking ahead, Essex Pedal Power is preparing for its next phase of evolution. Priorities include aligning future work with the new Greater Essex Combined Authority and emerging unitary local authorities, scaling the recycled bikes programme, and growing the number of community cycling groups and events. These developments aim to build long‑term sustainability and embed cycling as an everyday norm across more Essex communities.
