Scope
Reference
23-061
Description
The purpose of the Mobile Cycle Hub Van, also known as the Journey Matters Project, is to promote sustainable travel, improve access to cycling, and enhance health and wellbeing across Rotherham. By offering free cycle maintenance, adult training, and a flexible cycle loan scheme, the project aims to remove barriers to cycling and encourage more residents and workers to adopt active travel. This initiative, owned and operated by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC), has been successfully running for nearly a decade and continues to deliver high-impact services through a mobile, community-focused approach.
The scope of the project includes:
• Asset Management: Operation of a fully branded mobile hub van and a fleet of approximately 180 bikes (including electric bikes), all owned by RMBC.
Service Delivery:
• Dr Bike Sessions: On-site cycle maintenance and repairs.
• Adult Cycle Training: Delivered in compliance with Bikeability standards.
• Cycle Loan Scheme: Free short-term bike hire (up to one month), including delivery and collection from residents' homes.
Operational Staffing:
• Provision of 3 skilled staff members, including qualified cycle mechanics and trainers.
• Additional hourly-paid support for high-demand Dr Bike sessions (up to 200 hours/year).
• A Bikeability qualified trainer available for up to 250 hours/year.
Logistics & Equipment:
• Use of a large, long wheelbase van with appropriate branding.
• IT and communications equipment to manage bookings, logistics, and reporting.
• Delivery and collection of bikes and accessories from a central store at Riverside House.
Innovation & Efficiency:
• Exploration of cost-saving and efficiency improvements, particularly around home delivery logistics.
Total value (estimated)
- £677,088 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 27 April 2026 to 26 April 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 34430000 - Bicycles
- 63000000 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services
Contract locations
- UKE31 - Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham
Engagement
Engagement deadline
5 January 2026
Engagement process description
This notice is issued to provide information a market engagement opportunity only.
All of Rotherham Council's procurement opportunities are published on YORtender. To bid for this opportunity when it becomes live your organisation will need to be registered to the portal. You can register your organisation here: https://yortender.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=YORTENDER
All suppliers who wish to bid for Rotherham Council procurement opportunities must be registered on the Central Digital Platform, with all supplier information submitted and kept up to date.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) are keen to understand the market options and availability for an upcoming procurement for a Mobile Cycle Hub Delivery Partner.
This market engagement therefore seeks to gather any knowledge and data that potential suppliers can provide in terms of a Mobile Cycle Hub Delivery Partner.
All costs associated with providing a response to the market engagement must be borne by the Supplier. RMBC will not contribute in any way to meeting the production costs of any response.
No down-selection of potential providers will take place as a consequence of any responses to this market engagement.
Engagement in this Market Engagement (ME) exercise is via a questionnaire published on the tendering portal YORtender at the following link: https://yortender.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=YORTENDER
All correspondence in relation to this ME will be carried out via the YORtender portal. Potential providers may raise questions or seek clarification regarding any aspect of this document at any time prior to the response deadline. Questions must be submitted using the 'Messaging' function on YORtender in sufficient time to allow the Council to formulate and distribute a response at least 2 calendar days before the due date for the return of this ME.
Submissions to be returned via the YORtender portal by 17:00 on 5th January 2026.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
26 January 2026
Contracting authority
Rotherham Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGYC-3376-BGQP
Riverside House, Main Street
Rotherham
S60 1AE
United Kingdom
Email: procurement.corporate@rotherham.gov.uk
Website: https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/
Region: UKE31 - Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government