Commitment the only qualification in 50-cycle giveaway

PUTTING pedal power to the test and trading in four wheels for two may sound like a lot of hard work.

But now one environmental group in the Capital is hoping to make things easier by gearing up to give away 50 free bicycles worth about £5,000.

The We Love Leith campaign, by non-profit group Greener Leith, is offering reconditioned bikes to locals who wish to push the pedals rather than fill up their cars at the petrol pump.

The initiative, supported by the Bike Station, on Causewayside, will allow individuals to exchange passion for the environment for a bike worth up to £100.

Priority is given to people on a low income, but anybody who is particularly keen to ditch fume-emitting vehicles is welcome to apply. The key conditions are that the bike is well-used and kept safe.

Alistair Tibbitt, Chairman of Greener Leith, said: "We're looking for people to dump their cars in favour of environmentally friendly means of travel. About 50 per cent of car journeys across Scotland are less than five miles, so if we can get even a small number of people to replace a car with a bicycle we can cut carbon emissions and live in a healthier neighbourhood."

The scheme, which has been accepting applications for the past week, is already gathering a good deal of interest. Nearly 20 people have requested a bike, which Mr Tibbitt said is "very encouraging" for the quest to cut Leith's carbon emissions by 15 per cent.

Recently Greener Leith conducted a survey of 400 residents, which found that one of the main reasons people did not cycle around the city was because they had no bike or their bike was broken.

Mr Tibbitt said: "It really is easy to get a bike and make a difference. All we ask is that the individual uses the bike a certain amount each week and records some of their cycling adventures on a blog or via a video diary. We give priority to those who are strapped for cash."

He added that there would be consequences for anybody who was awarded a bike but failed to ride it.

"We reserve the right to remove it after six months if a person doesn't stick to the agreement. We will give it to somebody else."

The final decision on who receives a bicycle will be made by 20 Greener Leith volunteer "travel coaches", who will also advise users on safe and practical routes, how to fix a puncture and how to maintain a bike.

An official launch for the giveaway will be held in September, but the Bike Station will begin handing out bicycles this week.

Mark Sydenham, the Bike Station's project manager, called it a "great opportunity" to encourage people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. He pointed out that it is a misconception that Edinburgh is a particularly hard place to bike around.

"People think it is too hilly, but it is a myth. You can always work out a route that suits you," Mr Sydenham said.

"Travellers only see the route they take in by car or bus every day, but there are many paths to cycle. The variation also keeps the mind alive."

Leith residents can apply to take part in the scheme at www.weloveleith.com/bike- giveaway.