A COMMUNITY cycling project which will see young adults loan bicycles free of charge is to expand into Colchester this weekend.

The Essex Pedal Power scheme, which has already been piloted in Clacton and Jaywick, will arrive in Greenstead to allow residents in the area the opportunity to find out more about the scheme, with applications due to open later in the year.

It is hoped the Essex Pedal Power scheme, which was partly funded by the £18.2m town deal fund, will offer cheap and sustainable travel, as well as improve access to employment and further education opportunities.

The current target for Essex Pedal Power is to distribute as many as 800 bikes over the next three years in an effort to increase physical and mental wellbeing.

Funding has also come in courtesy of the Suffolk and North East Essex integrated care board and Active Essex local delivery pilot.

Greenstead councillor Julie Young, who is also the portfolio holder for housing and communities, said the community cycling project will be key in connecting Greenstead to the city centre.

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She said: “We are so pleased we now have the opportunity to replicate this community cycling project for residents in Greenstead.

“The scheme will help to improve their connectivity to the city centre, and we are also hoping it will help to improve the physical and mental health of residents, which is key to the Heart of Greenstead project.”

Available to eligible residents over the age of 16, the scheme will loan bikes – which are fitted with a GPS tracker – for six months.

If the bike is being used regularly over the six-month period, residents are offered to keep the bike and can access free learn-to-ride training and basic bike maintenance sessions.

Active Essex local delivery pilot, Essex County Council, the Active Wellbeing Society, Colchester Council, We Are Colchester, and Sport England have all worked in partnership with Essex Pedal Power to help launch and expand the scheme.

Mrs Young added: “We look forward to seeing the positive impact Essex Pedal Power will have in strengthening our local communities.”