Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh receives £90,000 funding to improve bike storage facilities following a rise in thefts

The improvements include lockable bike cages and there have also been bike marking events from Police Scotland.

The provision of increased bike storage is also a key factor in encouraging people to use these networks as a way to get to work as an alternative to using cars and public transport and is one of a series of projects that will be led by the foundation and NHS Lothian to support active travel.

This project will identify both key connections to active travel networks, ensuring there is clear signage and route finding, as well as design interventions that create safer routes and remove barriers to active travel due to social distancing restrictions.

This funding is in addition to the £90,000 that has been pledged to NHS Lothian by Sustrans and Transport Scotland as part of the Spaces for People programme.

Janice Alexander, site director at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, said: “We are grateful to Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation for providing funding for secure bike storage at the Royal Infirmary.

“As more staff began to travel to work by bike following the outbreak of COVID-19, bike thefts also began to rise.

“We immediately started to explore what we could do to support staff and look at measures to deter as well as prevent future thefts.

“Whilst we worked to secure funding for lockable bike cages, we liaised with Police Scotland to progress bike marking events on site. The feedback for these events was hugely positive and we plan on continuing this initiative in the longer term.

“It is great to see the lockable bike cages now installed on site as the second part of our prevention measures. I hope this helps to alleviate any concerns that staff had previously about bringing their bike to work.”

Jane Ferguson, Director of Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, said: “The foundation was delighted to support the request for funding to improve the bike storage facilities at the Royal Infirmary, giving staff some peace of mind that their bikes would be safe while they’re there. Cycling to work is a key element of our Greenspace and Health Strategy. Not only does it reduce pollution caused by traffic fumes, it also has a huge positive impact on mental and physical wellbeing.

“Now that the bike storage facilities are in place at the Royal Infirmary, we will continue to work on our wider active travel plans to support the improvement of health and wellbeing of people across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including providing further funding for additional bike storage facilities across NHS Lothian sites, and taking forward the Spaces for People project with Sustrans.”

More details on how to keep bikes secure while out and about, at home in a common stair, or in a shed or garage can be found on the ‘Secure your Bicycle’ page on the Police Scotland website.

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