Your benefit is our starting point

The scale of bicycle theft in the UK presents a remarkable opportunity for our initiative. Recent statistics reveal a staggering reality: approximately 70% of British cyclists have experienced theft at least once, with even higher rates in metropolitan areas.

The financial impact is extraordinary—the total estimated cost of bicycle theft in the UK stands at £2.4 billion annually, based on an average stolen bicycle value of £612.80.

In 2024 alone, police forces across England and Wales processed 62,599 bicycle theft reports. While this reflects a 12% decrease from 2023’s figure of 71,147, the volume remains significant. Most critically for our initiative, recovery and resolution rates are alarmingly low: nearly 90% of reported bicycle thefts in England went unsolved in 2022, and fewer than 2% resulted in criminal charges.

This creates a unique opportunity. Thousands of recovered bicycles currently sit idle in police storage facilities across the UK, eventually auctioned at minimal values or discarded when space runs out. By establishing formal partnerships with police forces, B2K Ride to Thrive creates a win-win scenario: easing police storage burdens while repurposing bicycles for lasting social impact.

Our in-depth analysis of police data reveals distinct geographic patterns that guide our partnership strategy:

1. Greater London Metropolitan Area
   Projected bicycle thefts exceed 16,500 in 2024, making London our primary source of unclaimed bicycles. The boroughs of Hackney, Islington, and Westminster show particularly high concentrations. Initial conversations with the Metropolitan Police Service have been highly promising, with plans to develop release protocols.
2. South Wales Police
   Expected to handle around 1,729 bicycle theft cases in 2024, with Cardiff accounting for 40% of this volume. Discussions with their Property Services Unit have been positively received.
3. Northumbria Police
   Projected to process 1,518 thefts, primarily in Newcastle and Gateshead. Their Community Engagement Team has shown strong interest in collaborating.
4. Urban Hotspot Cities
   Additional high-priority regions include:
   • Bristol (82% of cyclists have experienced theft)
   • Newcastle (76%)
   • Edinburgh (74%)
   • Liverpool and London (73%)

Each of these cities maintains dedicated bicycle storage facilities with significant inventory. Formal agreements with police in these areas will ensure a steady, sustainable supply chain to meet our distribution targets while alleviating police storage constraints.

Our research identifies five key areas where long school commutes negatively affect students:

• Busy roads lacking pedestrian infrastructure
• Exposure to criminal activity in isolated zones
• Wild animal threats in rural areas
• Dangerous river crossings during rainy seasons
• Gender-based violence, particularly affecting girls

• Physical exhaustion upon arrival at school
• Dehydration in high-temperature climates
• Impaired cognitive function due to fatigue
• Nutritional imbalance from long gaps between meals
• Developmental issues caused by excessive physical strain

Students walking over 3 km daily show:

• Test scores 18–23% lower than peers with shorter commutes
• Less classroom participation and higher disengagement
• Increased rates of incomplete homework
• Lower graduation rates and reduced university enrolment

• Absenteeism 31% higher than peers
• Seasonal drop-offs, particularly in the rainy season
• Increased risk of permanent dropout
• More partial-day attendance (late arrivals, early departures)
• Limited participation in extracurricular activities

Girls face compounded challenges:

• Higher safety risks causing families to withdraw them from school
• Domestic expectations before and after school
• Early marriage as an alternative to schooling
• Menstrual hygiene issues during long walks
• Harassment leading to school abandonment