A second batch of £50 bike repair vouchers have been released - here’s how to claim

A second batch of the government’s £50 bike repair vouchers have been released, four months on from its launch.

The website to claim the vouchers crashed when it was opened to the public due to “extreme” demand, but now some 50,000 additional vouchers have been made available to people in England.

What is the scheme for?

The ‘Fix Your Bike’ scheme allows people in England to claim a £50 repair voucher that can be used towards the cost of fixing their bike.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage the public to take their bikes out of retirement and promote more journeys on two wheels, as lockdown eases.

The vouchers can be spent on repairs at participating bike shops across England, and will typically cover the bill for a standard service and the replacement of a basic component, such as an inner tube or cable.

The website initially crashed when the first batch of vouchers were made available at the end of July, with users told the problem was caused by “extreme volumes of traffic.” Now, up to half a million more vouchers will be released through the scheme, which is part of Boris Johnson’s £2 billion plan to boost active travel.

Graham Stapleton, chief executive of retailer Halfords, which is participating in the initiative, said, “When the Government launched the Fix Your Bike voucher scheme in July, we helped repair thousands of bikes.

“This campaign means that many who might not be able to afford to get their bike fixed can now bring theirs back to a roadworthy condition.

“Getting more people back on their bikes helps to relieve pressure on public transport when many are unsure about making essential journeys, whilst also promoting cycling to improve health.”

How do I claim the voucher?

To claim a voucher to put towards the cost of repairing your bike, simply register on the fixyourbikevoucherschemeest.org.uk website.

Vouchers will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A total of 50,000 vouchers have been released in the second batch, on Monday 16 November.

The vouchers are being released by the government in batches to help manage capacity, with the aim of rolling it out more widely in the future.

Where can I use the voucher?

Once you have received your voucher, simply find a participating repair shop and book in your bike for a check-up.

A list of participating bike shops and mechanics can be found on the Energy Saving Trust’s map, with Halfords, Evans Cycles and Cyclefix among those registered for the scheme.

Halfords is among the participating shops and said customers can bring their bikes in for a 32 point health check, which will assess potential faults.

What can I spend the voucher on?

The vouchers can be used towards the cost of making a bike safe for use on public roads. Upgrading roadworthy parts or buying removable accessories, such as lights or helmets are not included as part of the scheme.

If your bike needs several or more expensive new parts, you will need to cover the costs in excess of £50.

Is there a limit on how many vouchers one person can get?

Vouchers are capped at two per household, and they must be used on different bikes.

A version of this article originally appeared on our sister site, Yorkshire Evening Post.