Bike libraries are just the ticket to ride for Yorkshire children

There are currently 22 bike libraries across the county and 8,300 youngsters have so far benefited from the scheme. Organisers are keen to get more people on two wheels in 2016, a year which is expected to see the burgeoning popularity of cycling grow further helped by the visit of some of the world’s top cyclists for the second edition of the Tour de Yorkshire.

There are tens of thousands of unridden bikes languishing in sheds and garages across Yorkshire, many of which could find a new lease of life with a child or family who doesn’t have one.

Gateways School at Harewood, Leeds, is one of the first to offer a special one-off donation day where members of the public can donate a bike to the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries, on Monday February 1 between 9am and 10am.

The first Yorkshire Bank Bike Library opened in June 2015 and whilst all 22 are different, they share one common goal: offering children free access to a bike. For some, this means long-term loans and taking the bike home; some visit schools for skills and training sessions; some take families on led rides; and others work in partnership with special schools to provide specially adapted bikes.

Over 2,000 bikes were donated in 2015 and every one has been put to good use by the libraries: some just needed a safety check and were loaned out to children straight away; some needed some mechanical work; and some were used for parts.

Each Library is provided with a grant from Yorkshire Bank to pay for tools, equipment, spare parts plus coaching and training, so no matter what condition a bike is in, they can make use of it.

Karen Titman, Gateways High School deputy head said: “For the past eight years Gateways School has run an organised charity cycle tour so we are thrilled to host the bike donation station on Monday February 1.

“Cycling is a fantastic way to exercise and have fun with family and friends so providing this opportunity is really worthwhile. We encourage everyone to dig out that old unloved bike from the back of the shed to give it a new lease of life.”

Helen Page, Propositions and Marketing Director at Yorkshire Bank, said: “It’s a very simple idea: we ask the public to donate bikes that are not being used and lend them, for free, to children who haven’t got access to one.

“This is the first scheme of its kind in the country and since June 2015 over 8,300 opportunities have been created for children to ride a bike - the feedback so far has been excellent.”

If your school or community centre is keen to host your own donation day, please get in touch with Ama Butler at Welcome to Yorkshire [email protected] to arrange.

To apply for the new round of funding to create a new Bike Library of your own, click here.