Give your old bikes a new life this Easter!
Monday, 15 April 2019
We're encouraging residents to start their spring cleaning this Easter, and especially want old bicycles that are outgrown or no longer needed.
Our Travel Choices team, who promote walking, cycling and other forms of active and sustainable travel, will be at Ampthill Library on Saturday 20 April from 9am to 4pm to collect the donated bikes. Dr Bike will also be on hand to offer free bike health checks and advice on cycle maintenance.
Bikes that are donated will be refurbished, made road-worthy and found new homes. Many of the recycled bikes are given to young people to get to school or college; unemployed people to travel to new jobs; as lifelines for those who are feeling isolated; or to help those who are recuperating to get fit again.
Steve Lakin, who heads up the project at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "This is a great initiative which makes the most of unwanted bikes to help those who are less fortunate.
“Many of those who have obtained a bike through this project have gone on to get training, volunteering and paid work. They have also improved their fitness levels, mental health and enjoyed being outdoors, as well as having a free and eco-friendly form of transport.
“We’d encourage any resident considering getting rid of a bike to come and see us at Ampthill Library on Easter Saturday, and to show our appreciation, everyone who donates a bike will get a free chocolate egg!”
Along with Luton Borough Council and Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council jointly won a national sustainable travel award last year for this bike-recycling project. The venture has seen more than 300 bikes saved from the scrapheap, restored, and given new homes since the project started in April 2017. Some of the re-homed bikes have helped long-term unemployed people get back into work and have even provided a source of transport for refugee children in local foster care.
To book a cycle health check with Dr. Bike or to get a list of recycled bikes currently available please telephone the Travel Choices Hub in Ashton Square, Dunstable on 01582 813018 or contact the team by email - travelchoices@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.