Over 7,000 applications for bike subsidy scheme

The transport ministry on Wednesday announced that it had received 159 applications for bicycles for the disabled and 7,515 for road and mountain bikes as the portal for the scheme reopened following a glitch last week.

The scheme is now complete for this year but will be run again in 2022 with an increased budget, the ministry said. “Therefore, any further requests will not be accepted through the portal.”

It said those who have been pre-approved will be informed within 24 hours through a special link they will be sent. Once received, they will have three days to submit the supplementary information for approval.

Subject to availability, shortlisted applicants will be notified at a later stage, by email or telephone, whether they have been shortlisted. Around 500 people are expected to benefit.

The €570,000 bike scheme is part of the €4m energy and climate and sustainable mobility national scheme that will operate in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

It provides for subsidies of up to €200 per city, road, or mountain bike of not more than €1,000 plus VAT. Bicycles for people with disabilities will be subsidised with up to €800 or the purchase price, whichever is lower.

Eligible parties are Cypriots and other European citizens and third-country nationals residing permanently in the Republic, who are over 18. Each person will be subsidised for the purchase of one bicycle.

The grant will be paid once the applicant submits a receipt and a photograph of the bicycle.