BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
More than 250 people in Rutland have now benefitted from a county-wide scheme that sees old bicycles repaired and given free of charge to local families.
Rutland County Council has been working with HMP Stocken on the ‘My Bike’ project, which was first launched in June 2017.
Since it began, more than 250 bicycles donated to the project or disposed of at local recycling centres have been reconditioned by prisoners, before being offered to individuals and families who don’t have a bike of their own.
The aim of the project is to help children, young people and adults into education, training, employment and recreation by giving them access to free sustainable transport. The latest handover took place at Oakham Fire Station on 16th February, with 56 bikes given away.
Council leader Oliver Hemsley said: “This project is based on a fantastic partnership between the council, HMP Stocken and the local community. Thanks to prisoners and staff at HMP Stocken, old and unwanted bikes of all types are being repaired and given a brand new lease of life.
“This opens up a whole range of possibilities for the people receiving bikes – helping to improve health and well-being, and providing sustainable transport for work and travel. The project also helps prisoners to learn new skills that could eventually lead to employment.”
