Essex Pedal Power Harlow

Essex Pedal Power is a community bike scheme that allows eligible Harlow residents through the support of partners, to apply for a free, high-quality bike loan. This scheme offers low-cost, sustainable travel options to key communities in Harlow, helping people access jobs, education, and local services in nearby areas. The pilot aims to distribute 200 bikes, significantly boosting local activity levels and improving health and wellbeing.

To enable Essex Pedal Power to successfully expand into Harlow, funding was initially secured from Sport England with additional funding secured from Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT) to support the scheme’s expansion during the initial pilot phase.

To be eligible for a bike under the Essex Pedal Power scheme, applicants must:

• Live in Harlow
• Agree to use the bike frequently (weekly) or return the bike if not used
• Agree to GPS monitoring of bike usage (adult bikes only)

Residents will need to be referred from a local service or local organisation (foodbank, community hub, health care, mental health service, job centre, citizens advice, supporting charities etc.) who can share the online application with you. It is your responsibility to complete the application but the referring local service or a member of the team at Rainbow Services can support you with completion. If you need any assistance in applying, or require a paper form, please contact pedalpowerharlow@rainbowservices.org.uk and ask for Kelly Tarling.

Adult bikes criteria for application process

Applicants for adult bikes should be 16 years or over.

Successful applicants will have to sign an agreement to loan the bike for an initial period of 12 months. At the end of the loan period, if the recipient has used the bike to cycle regularly, they will be given the option to take ownership of the bike (subject to being satisfied with the terms and conditions).

Adult bikes will be fitted with a GPS tracker and applicants must agree to have a GPS tracker fitted to their bike, for data collection and evaluation purposes.

Bikes should be returned to Essex Pedal Power if they are no longer needed.

‘Learn to Ride’ and ‘Cycling with Confidence’ training sessions, will be offered to all adult bike recipients. Those unable to ride safely or lacking in confidence, should be willing to attend cycle training to improve their cycling skills and ability.

Child bikes criteria for application process

Child bikes will be loaned for as long as the bike is needed and fits the child. The bikes should then be returned to EPP (as per the agreement) where, subject to availability, the ‘next size up’ bike will be offered.

If the child is in school year 5 or 6, they will be encouraged to participate in Bikeability training Level 1 and 2, through their school.

Yes, you do not need to know how to ride a bike to participate in the scheme. Training will be provided free of charge within the local community to those who do not know how to ride a bike or would like to build confidence in cycling on the road.  More information on cycle training will be provided if your application is successful.

Yes, we want to support families. Our team will work with you to understand what your family needs to get active together.

Absolutely! If bikes aren’t available through EPP, we’ll direct ineligible applicants (both adult and children) to local bike recycling schemes, where possible. We also hope many Harlow residents will join the Essex Pedal Power community. You can get involved by joining group bike rides, attending cycle training sessions, or volunteering with us.

If you are not eligible for a bike, but want to learn more about how to be involved with Essex Pedal Power Harlow, email us at pedalpowerharlow@rainbowservices.org.uk 

The information you provide is confidential and subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018.

This personal data will be held and processed by Active Essex (Sport and Physical Activity Partnership), Rainbow Service and Harlow Council for the purpose(s) of providing and monitoring the effectiveness of Essex Pedal Power (EPP) and comply with any statutory duty in relation with public health placed on the local authorities, including service communication purposes.

The data will also be shared with Essex Highways and Harlow and Gilston Garden Town for transport monitoring. The personal details you provide may also be shared with Harlow and Gilston Garden Town and other third parties for the purposes of undertaking research, for the provision of appropriate services, as part of any statutory duties requiring such disclosure and to protect the public funds the Council collects and administers on the basis that they treat the information as confidential. Any data may be used to prevent fraud or the misuse of resources. For further information of our privacy notice, please visit: https://www.essex.gov.uk/privacy-community. You can also contact us if you have additional questions.

Yes, adult bikes in Harlow will have a GPS tracking system. This helps the Essex Pedal Power team monitor bike usage for data collection and evaluation.

All bikes will be a new high quality, lightweight hybrid bike suitable for roads and cycle paths.  A range of bikes will be available to suit different needs (stock dependant), and we are investigating the potential inclusion of e-bikes and cargo bikes later in the scheme.

The bike is loaned to participants for 12 months. If you use the bike at least once a week during this time, you can keep it at the end of the loan. The Essex Pedal Power team will track bike usage with a GPS system to see how often it’s used.

The bike is loaned to participants for 12 months. If you use the bike at least once a week during this time, you can keep it at the end of the loan. The Essex Pedal Power team will track bike usage with a GPS system to see how often it’s used.

Bikes will have GPS tracking to collect data on who is using them, how far and often they ride, and where they go. This information will help the council plan future strategies. All participants will get helmets and bike locks and as the programme grows, we’ll add more local bike storage options.

Not at all. Essex Pedal Power will cover the cost of the bike, helmet, lock, hand pump, standard reflective lights and mud guards. Bike Training and Bike Maintenance sessions will also be free of charge.

If you do not have a secure and sheltered space to store your bike, we will try to help you find a suitable and convenient storage location. Do not let this stop you from applying for an Essex Pedal Power bike.

The scheme is currently only available to residents of Harlow.