Wheely good cycle scheme helps NHS staff in Tooting in cost-of-living pinch

Recycling has a whole new meaning in Tooting as St George’s hospital is giving “upcycled” bikes to lower paid staff to support them during the cost-of-living crisis.

Bikes donated by members of the public are restored by Wandsworth council’s Dr Bike service for Band 2 and 3 staff at St George’s – such as healthcare assistants, occupational therapy support workers and nursery assistants.

The workers can apply to receive one of the donated bikes for free to help reduce their commuting costs.

So far, eight members of staff have been selected, out of 350 who have applied, to receive one of the bikes, and so the hospital is calling for more people to come forward to donate their unused bikes to support more front line staff.

Omar Ali, clinical assistant in paternal care at St George’s, was one of the first to receive a bike. He helps patients check-in for their appointments and supports them with any other requirements they have.

He said: “I can now get in to work in 15 minutes on my bike, and if it wasn’t for this scheme, I wouldn’t have bought one myself, so I’m really grateful.”

Joanna Witynska is a monitoring officer at St George’s, where she visits departments to check they are up to the cleanliness and health and safety standards required.

She said: “I’m making so many savings since I’ve had my donated bike. I now don’t need to spend money on buses to get around. I go out on my bike a lot at the weekend and find it good for de-stressing.

“Being vegan, I am also very environmentally conscious, so I’m pleased to be able to get around without a carbon footprint.”

Richard Huie – known as ‘Dr Bike’ to many – is Wandsworth council’s lead cycle instructor who, along with the support of fellow cycle instructors, brought the scheme at St George’s to life with the Trust’s Bicycle User Group.

He said: “Cycling is such an affordable and sustainable way of getting around, so this has been a great opportunity for Wandsworth council to support.

“We’re still here every month fixing up bikes, so if you have one worthy of donating, please contact St George’s.”

Since launching the scheme, St George’s has received more interest in both donating and applying for bikes.

Dr Bike also offers an incentive for all staff at St George’s to cycle into work, as each month they visit the Trust to provide a bike ‘MOT’, free of charge to St George’s staff.

Pictured top: Richard Huie, known as ‘Dr Bike’ (Picture: St George’s University Hospital)