Brompton Bike Hire crowdfunding to provide additional bikes to NHS

During the COVID-19 emergency, Brompton Bike Hire has been offering free access to its hire bikes for NHS staff for the past few weeks, and now wishes to go further via a crowdfunding campaign to produce additional bikes and put them in the hands of nurses and doctors.

Says Julian Scriven, Managing Director, Brompton Bike Hire: ‘As you may be aware, we launched an initiative around 15 days ago to provide the NHS staff with free access to our hire bikes. 

'Since then we've been inundated with requests for Brompton hires by key workers to the point where we have had over 500 applications and already loaned out 200 bikes. 

We have taken the decision to set aside manufacturing to produce additional bikes and put them in the hands of nurses and doctors. We have set ourselves the target of producing up to a 1,000 bikes

'We have seen the demand from NHS staff and we want to see if we can significantly expand what we offer. The challenge we face is the NHS staff requests combined with the regular rentals has almost totally depleted our hire fleet. Why has the NHS staff turned to the Brompton solution ahead of other options? It's all down to containment. 

'Each NHS user takes their bike home for as long as the pandemic lasts, so aren't being forced to use public transport or share use of docked bikes. This is crucial for the NHS staff, as they want to limit the possibility of cross infection.

'We have taken the decision to set aside manufacturing to produce additional bikes and put them in the hands of nurses and doctors. We have set ourselves the target of producing up to a 1,000 bikes. To support this, our commitment in production costs equates to an investment of over £100,000.   

'We're are hoping our key partners could consider supporting the NHS. Needless to say in addition to providing the bikes to the NHS and enjoying the rewards featured on the Crowdfunder page, early backers will be specifically referenced in our press and social media (with your approval) as well as featuring your logos and quotes on Crowdfunder the page. More is always welcome, but even the funding for one bike will be amazing!'

The campaign is open on the Crowdfunder platform online

Julian adds: If you would prefer to donate anonymously, you can contact Julian by email and he will provide the relevant details.

'I am delighted to say everyone involved including ourselves and Crowdfunder are doing this without making a profit; Crowdfunder are waiving all fees for our projects, so 100% of what is raised is going straight into supporting the NHS and their key workers.'