Wheels are off for SNP free kids’ bikes plan
Project rolled out to just 3% of children in poverty
AN SNP manifesto pledge to give free bikes to every child who can’t afford one is set to fail as new figures show just three per cent have received one.
Data obtained by the Sunday Mail shows the 2021 promise has cost about £700 per bike, with £5.3million spent so far.
Just 6814 bikes have been given out in the last three years, with the majority of Scotland’s 250,000 kids in poverty yet to receive one.
The government has also admitted Transport Scotland, which funds the scheme, has made no assessment of when all children unable to afford a bike will get one.
The SNP promised to fulfil its pledge by 2026.
Critics said the money would have been better spent on anti-poverty programmes and have urged the government to ditch the scheme.
Scottish Labour’s children and young people spokesman, Martin
Whitfield, said: “Yet another election pledge by the SNP has been left in tatters.
“The SNP must drop the empty promises and doomed gimmicks and set out a real plan to support struggling families and give children and young people opportunities.”
An Alba spokesman said: “Public trust in politicians is at an all-time low and it isn’t helped by making manifesto promises that there was never any intention to meet.”
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson described it as “yet another [Green MSP] Patrick Harvie flop”.
The scheme was announced by the SNP ahead of the 2021 Holyrood election as part of a £ 6billion package of spending.
Alongside free bikes were plans to give all schoolkids a laptop or tablet and to renew every playpark.
The scope of the playpark scheme has since been “revised”, according to leaked government documents, while the laptop scheme was quietly dropped due to funding cuts.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The total costs reflect not only the cost of the bikes but the total administration of nine separate pilots using various delivery models, alongside the provision of safety equipment, security devices and cycle training.
“The pilot schemes have tested a variety of delivery models to ensure future best value and inclusivity for this important commitment, which is aimed improving the lives of some of the most disadvantaged young people in Scotland.”