Bike rental scheme made free to NHS workers in Portsmouth

NHS staff in Portsmouth will be able to use a bike rental scheme free of charge to help them get to work amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Fiona Callingham
Published 30th Mar 2020, 16:54 BST
Updated 31st Mar 2020, 12:51 BST
NHS staff can hire bikes from the Brompton Bike station at The Hard, in Portsmouth, for free. Picture: ShutterstockNHS staff can hire bikes from the Brompton Bike station at The Hard, in Portsmouth, for free. Picture: Shutterstock
NHS staff can hire bikes from the Brompton Bike station at The Hard, in Portsmouth, for free. Picture: Shutterstock

Fold-up bike company Brompton Bike Hire has announced its station by The Hard Interchange in Portsea is the latest in the UK to be made available to frontline medical staff at no cost.

To access a free bike, NHS employees can download the Brompton Bike app on their phones and sign in using their work emails and the code Wheels4NHS.

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It is hoped this will help workers commute after around 70 per cent of bus journeys were cut in the city due to the coronavirus outbreak.

NHS staff can hire bikes from the Brompton Bike station at The Hard, in Portsmouth, for free. Picture: ShutterstockNHS staff can hire bikes from the Brompton Bike station at The Hard, in Portsmouth, for free. Picture: Shutterstock
NHS staff can hire bikes from the Brompton Bike station at The Hard, in Portsmouth, for free. Picture: Shutterstock
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Portsmouth City Council's cabinet member for transport, Councillor Lynne Stagg, welcomed the free use for NHS staff. She said: 'I know that some NHS workers have found it difficult getting to and from work because buses have been reduced and for those that drive they are finding it a struggle to park when they get home.

'We should all be trying to help in any way we can. These bikes will give workers another option.'

NHS staff can use the Brompton Bike app to reserve a bike for the day, which would usually cost up to £6.50 a day.

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Nationwide the company has already seen 500 NHS workers take advantage of the scheme, with plans to increase bike numbers under way.

A spokesman for Brompton Bike Hire said: 'Around two weeks ago on March 16, we approached St Barts Hospital and NHS London to provide bikes for their front-line staff who wished to avoid being crammed onto public transport during the coronavirus crisis.

'We certainly did not expect the response we've seen and are eternally grateful for all the pictures of commutes and gratitude we’re receiving.

'To date over 500 NHS staff have registered for the free rental of a Brompton Bike and we can see that the original 200 bikes we had available in our fleet are in the hands of the NHS.

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'Based on the current rate of registration we have far surpassed our current ability and have set about plans to increase the operation and production of hire bikes.'

For more information visit nhsemployers.org and search 'national discounts for NHS workers.'

Related topics:NHSPortsmouth

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