Introduction
In June 2024, we were awarded nearly £200,000 in government funding to continue our work to:
- encourage active travel
- provide better walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure for people in Brighton & Hove
This will help people:
- save money on transport
- improve their health
- reduce their carbon footprint
The money will be used to support various projects in the city.
View the Capability & Ambition Fund 2025 map to see the current project area we are working on.
Brighton & Hove’s Cycle to Work Day – 7 August 2025
This summer, join hundreds of people across Brighton & Hove in celebrating Cycle to Work Day on Thursday, 7 August 2025.
eCargo bikes accelerator project
Funding for eCargo bikes and the subsidy are no longer available however we can:
- offer impartial, expert advice and guidance on choosing the right eCargo bikes for your business needs
- advise on sustainable deliveries for local businesses
Find more information on our eCargo bike accelerator webpage.
E bikes
E-bike leasing scheme
This scheme is paused until further notice.
E-Bike commuter project
We have procured several e-bikes, funded through the Department for Transport’s Capability Fund 2021 to 2022.
These e-bikes will be loaned to employees at selected workplaces and healthcare settings to use for a 3-month trial period for commuting, work journeys (such as home visits) and leisure activity.
This project aims to encourage and create travel behaviour change which switches people from vehicle use to e-bikes for short journeys (between 0 and 5 miles).
Advantages of using e-bikes
E-bikes use an electrical assist motor which adds power while the rider is pedalling.
This enables people to ride for longer and further while carrying loads.
Riders get the same health benefits as from conventional bikes because they encourage people to cycle further and more frequently over time.
E-bikes also give riders confidence on busy roads.
Monitoring and evaluation of the e-bike commuter project
This project will monitor and evaluate the use of e-bikes using the Department for Transport’s monitoring and evaluation guidance.
Cycle training
School travel
Walk to school week
Workplace travel
We’re aware of the impact travel and transport has on our city. For this reason, we need workplaces and organisations to play their part in reducing carbon emissions specifically from the daily commute and business travel.
Dr Bike
About Dr Bike
Dr Bike is a free cycling advice service delivered by Brighton & Hove City Council and funded by the Department for Transport.
The Dr Bike service is available for key workers, NHS staff, educational settings and community groups. Dr Bike can attend your event and provide free cycling advice and basic bicycle servicing.
The Dr Bike mechanics are all:
- fully qualified to give a professional and knowledgeable service
- fully insured
- DBS checked
What Dr Bike offers
Dr Bike can provide:
- minor mechanical adjustments and maintenance tips for tyres, chains and brakes
- help with your bike set-up and riding position - to improve comfort and efficiency
- advice on locking your cycle, correct helmet fitting and fitting recommended bike lights
- advice such as the use of gears, brakes and on-road safety tips
- recommended bike shops and services for any further needs
- appointments at a later date for full cycle servicing
Dr Bike does not provide
- individual sessions for one person
- a full bike service - due to time constraints
What you need to know
Dr Bike brings all the necessary bike fixing equipment. You'll need to provide a table and chair, plus shelter or an indoor space if it’s raining.
We generally make bookings 4 weeks in advance. We recommend promoting the session at least 2 weeks before the event to generate interest and encourage people to bring their bikes. Please ensure the event is promoted regularly in the run up to the day.
Dr Bike sessions can be up to 6 hours long and the mechanic can service 2 bikes an hour (on average) However, this depends on the work that needs to be done.
If you're organising a Dr Bike session for your staff, we recommend you have a queuing system in place, with slots of 30 minutes. A Dr Bike mechanic can notify staff when it's their turn and when their bike is ready for collection.
At community events, Dr Bike will see bikes on a first come, first served basis.
There will be a charge for necessary replacement parts but Dr Bike will discuss and advise first.
How to book Dr Bike
Dr Bike can be booked Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
To book you'll need to complete the Dr Bike booking form and send it in an email to school.travel@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Case studies
Brighton & Hove City Council and Beryl BTN Bikes
As part of Beryl BTN Bikes social value offer to Brighton & Hove City Council, the council was gifted 150 x one hundred free minute bundles. These free minute bundles are on offer to people living in East Brighton and Whitehawk who are jobseekers, on universal credit, student-hardship funds and social prescribing.
The promotion of the Beryl BTN Bikes scheme is part of a programme of projects funded by Department of Transport’s Capability & Ambition Fund. This case study demonstrates how working with people who are marginalised or have complex needs can benefit from active travel both physically and mentally.
Transport Planner and cycle instructor, Daniel Bianco, has been engaging with charities, NHS Trusts and Primary Care Networks since December 2024 to promote this fantastic offer to people who’d benefit from it.
Recently, the charity Together Co, which works with individuals who are lonely or socially isolated referred Jonathan, via social prescribing, to Daniel to try cycling. Jonathan hadn’t cycled since he was in his teens so some cycle training really benefited him.
Image: Jonathan at Varley Park after his cycle ride.
Jonathan met Daniel at the Level and tried one of the Beryl electric bicycles. He was shown how to use the Beryl App and access the free 100 minute bundle. This offer enables free unlocking and the minute bundle, once activated is valid for 12 months.
Together, Jonathan and Daniel cycled from The Level to Varley Park in Colden.
This is what Jonathan said after Daniel checked in with him the day after cycling:
“Thanks so much for checking in – and yes, I’m still standing… though I must admit, I felt like John Wayne on my way home yesterday! My legs are absolutely knackered today, but in a good way – I’m definitely feeling the years without proper workouts or routine catching up with me. That said, yesterday’s ride left a lasting impression on me. It was more than just exercise – it was the first time in a long while I’ve truly felt free, like a bird coasting through the cycle lanes of Brighton and Hove.
It genuinely helped shift something in me mentally – to feel the wind on my face, out in the world again, rather than being trapped indoors battling anxiety, depression, and the mental fog of a stressful few years. It’s hard to express how significant that short session was. You gave me more than a cycling lesson – it was a moment of clarity, a reminder of what living can feel like.
I also want to thank you again, and give due credit to Together Co, who got me linked into this through my GP. Honestly, it’s these small-but-powerful interventions that can shift the tide for people like me. I believe initiatives like this should be championed more widely across council services – they’re proactive, empowering, and help people reclaim confidence, health and dignity – especially for those coming from marginalised or complex backgrounds.
Looking forward to the next ride – and thanks again for being part of a much-needed turning point in my life.”
It is hoped that this Beryl BTN Bikes offer will help people in similar circumstances to Jonathan, who live in fringe areas of Brighton & Hove to access affordable and sustainable transportation.