Children from Northwood Primary School in Thamesmead are the latest recipients to benefit from a ‘cycle recycle scheme’, which Bexley Council runs with the help of Sidcup Cycles.
Under the scheme, residents are encouraged to hand over any unwanted bikes that are cluttering their homes, sheds and garages. The Met Police also donates any unwanted bikes that they have.
Sidcup Cycles services each bike and carries out any repairs required to ensure they are fully roadworthy, before they are donated to local schools and voluntary groups.
As well as managing the recycling scheme, the London Borough of Bexley offers free cycle training to adults and children who live, work and/or attend school in the borough.
Cllr Alex Sawyer, Bexley’s cabinet member for traffic and transport, said: “Bexley is the number one borough for recycling and we are always looking for new ways to reduce waste and reuse items.
“Working in partnership with Sidcup Cycles this scheme means that we can put unwanted bikes to good use, rather than scrapping them.
“It enables residents who might otherwise never have had the opportunity to learn to cycle safely.”
Northwood School in Thamesmead received 14 bikes, six of which will be used by pupils in Year Six to access Bexley’s Bikeability training, which in turn will encourage them to lead more active lifestyles.
The remaining eight bikes will be used by children in Key Stage One.
Anyone wishing to donate a bicycle should contact Bexley’s road safety team by email or on 0208 303 7777.
13 March 2018