Take a Stand®: Stroud’s cycle stand success story

What is Take a Stand®?

Take a Stand® empowers local communities to thrive by making cycling easier, safer, and more accessible for everyone.

We leverage funding from local authorities and charitable trusts, then install secure cycle parking for small businesses and community organisations, free of charge.

We’ve been delivering our Take a Stand® scheme across southwest England for over 25 years, installing secure parking for over 10,000 bikes across multiple local authority areas.

Last year, we were approached by Stroud Council to bring our scheme to Stroud, to support the provision of essential facilities for small organisations, promote sustainable travel, and help build a more connected community.

How has it impacted the Stroud community?

In the last year, we’ve allocated 150 stands across Stroud, creating 300 new secure parking spaces.

99% of these applications came from community organisations, including an art centre, village hall, library, playgrounds, chapels, colleges, pubs, allotments, and campsites. It enables valuable community spaces, that may not typically have a sustainable transport budget access a free resource – a resource that encourages more people to visit their space.

The new bike stands make it easier for people to cycle to work and shops—boosting local business, improving safety, and promoting active travel. Take a Stand® tackles transport poverty by helping customers and staff save on fuel or fares and get around on their own terms. Gary, a member of the Summer Street Allotment Association, says:

‘’We're very grateful that Life Cycle were able to help our charity, we're a popular destination for cycle groups and for families out on a bike ride. Now visitors have somewhere secure to leave their bikes.''

All organisations reported that since the installation of their stands, they’ve seen an increase in daily bike visits, improved bike security, and levels of cycling have increased.

Due to overwhelming demand, we’ve secured additional funding to meet the need for 100 more cycle parking spaces, so we can continue the good work in Stroud!

Take a Stand in your community!

Take a Stand® allows local authorities to create greener, cleaner, and healthier communities in a simple, tangible way.

As seen in Stroud, the positive results can be huge, with minimum effort. Once we’ve secured funding, Life Cycle manages the whole process from promoting the scheme to supplying, delivering, and installing the stands.

District Councillor and Chair of the Environment Committee, Chloe Turner, says:

‘’Cycling has a profound social and environmental impact. By supporting free, secure cycle parking through schemes like Take a Stand®, we’re helping local organisations make sustainable travel more accessible, safe, and convenient for everyone.’’

For limited resources and time, it’s a cost-effective way to make a big impact.

Get involved!

We provide Sheffield stands across the south west of England. We are keen to roll out this scheme in new areas, so more communities can benefit.

Local authorities: To find out how you can secure your own cycle stand success story, get in touch!

Let's get more communities cycling!

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