11 hours ago
SNP Government forks out nearly £10m on 'free' bikes for children at £700 a pop
A Scottish Labour MP claimed "the one thing the SNP excel at is wasting our money" after the costs of the scheme were revealed.
The SNP Government has been blasted for "wasting our money" after forking out nearly £10 million on "free bikes" for kids at £700 a pop.
A Freedom of Information Request showed that the Scottish Government has spent £9.4 million on 13,244 bikes. This means the average cost of each bike was £711.
High street retailers sell various models of children's bikes for under £200 and a quality child's bike from the 'Specialized' brand can be bought for under £500.
Scottish Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven Joani Reid said: 'The one thing the SNP excel at is wasting our money.
'It is outrageous that taxpayers are being billed millions for this failing programme.
'I am not against giving children free bikes, I am against my constituents being ripped off like this.
'Public money is precious and needs to be spent with care.'
Between August 2021 and March 2023, £4.4m was spent on the Free Bikes Pilot Programme.
From April 2023 to March 2024, £900,000 was spent on the Free Bikes Partnership.
Between April 2024 and March this year, £4.2m was spent on the People and Place Programme.
Overall this adds up to £9.4m.
A total of 13,244 bikes were distributed during this period.
The Scottish Government said the number includes bikes purchased as part of fleets - for example by schools - and used by multiple children for purposes such as cycle training.
The People and Place Programme aims to encourage people to walk, cycle, and use active modes of transport.
It aims to make people change how they travel long term - essentially encouraging them to use their cars less.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: 'The total costs reflect not only the cost of the bikes, but the total administration of access to bikes projects using various delivery models, alongside the provision of safety equipment, security devices and cycle training.'
