Wheels to Work, Levenmouth

During the Covid pandemic, key workers played a crucial role in making sure we had food, as well as access to healthcare and education. However, with public transport often being scaled back due to a drop in demand, some key workers found it difficult to get to work.

Thanks to the innovative keyworkers bike loan scheme run by Community Interest Company (CIC) Fife Employment Access Trust (FEAT), based at Silverburn Park in Leven, many local people were able to access employment, volunteering and education in a safe and sustainable way.

This initiative was such a success that FEAT went on to develop the ‘Wheels to Work scheme’.

Chief Executive Duncan Mitchell explained FEAT was set up to ensure support for people who may suffer a lack of employment or other opportunities due to mental ill-health and the stigma that can surround it.

He said: “Our vision is to enable and support individuals to reach their full positive mental wellbeing and a huge part of that is removing barriers to work, volunteering and education. We saw how successful the bike loan scheme was during the Covid-19 lockdowns and wanted to extend this. The Wheels to Work scheme was developed to offer free bike hire to anyone struggling to get to work or further education on foot or by public transport.”

Duncan added that, thanks to financial support from the University Community Fund, project organisers were able to ensure bikes were safe and well maintained.