East Riding of Yorkshire Council launches new Kickstart scheme

A new vehicle loan scheme to help residents in rural areas get to work or training has been launched.

The Kickstart scheme, which is operated by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s employment, education and skills team, allows those who are eligible to arrange the loan of a scooter or an e-bike for up to a year.

The new scheme will replace the old Wheels to Work scheme and those who meet the criteria will have access to new and reliable scooters or e-bikes at a cheaper rate.

To be eligible to apply for a scooter people must be:

• 18 or over and hold a full or provisional driving licence
• be in employment or training for a minimum of 16 hours a week
• not have access to suitable public transport
• live within the East Riding of Yorkshire boundary
• undertake compulsory basic training and additional training to enhance and promote safer riding
• able to secure the scooter at your home address and off the public highway.

To be eligible to apply for an e-bike people must be:

• 18 or over
• live within the East Riding of Yorkshire boundary
• able to secure the e-bike at home, either in a locked shed, outbuilding or garage.

Councillor Andy Burton, portfolio holder for economic investment and planning delivery at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This new scheme has been based around the ethos of Wheels to Work but is now more efficient and cost-effective.

“Those taking advantage of the Kickstart scheme will now have access to new e-bikes and scooters, which will also come with roadside breakdown assistance.

“Our customers largely live and travel within the rural community so from a safety point of view they need safe and reliable vehicles to travel on and that’s what Kickstart continues to provide.”

For more information on the Kickstart scheme go to www.eastriding.gov.uk/kickstart

Picture captions:

1 - Michael Stokes who works at Goole Fire Station and takes part in the Kickstart scheme.

2. David Gray lives in Corttingham and uses a Kickstart e-bike to get to work in Hull where he works at a city farm delivering fruit and veg to city centre cafes and restaurants.