Island children will enjoy free bicycles as part of a new partnership between the Isle of Wight Council, waste partners Amey and local business, ReCycle & BiCycle.
The Shanklin-based business collects unwanted bicycles from Lynnbottom Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC). Suitable children’s bicycles are repaired, cleaned and serviced with help from Al’s Bikes, Sandown, before being donated to the local community.
Natasha Dix, the council’s strategic manager for environment, said:
“I would like to thank local companies ReCycle & BiCycle and Al’s Bikes.
“This is an innovative and useful project that will have a beneficial effect for local Island families. It encourages more sustainable travel and diverts unloved bikes from landfill.
“These companies are an excellent example of how a grass-roots initiative can protect our environment and support our local community at the same time.
“We are happy to be working with our waste partners Amey to provide bicycles for the company to refurb and donate.”
The latest recipient is the YMCA nursery in Shanklin. They took delivery of the first batch of refurbished bicycles this week.
Clare Tuckey, owner of ReCycle & BiCycle, said:
“I feel that every child should be able to have access to a bicycle for so many reasons. The crew at Lynnbottom have been great in storing the unwanted bicycles ready for recycling or re-use
“I’m focusing on supplying local nurseries and preschools first as they will be able to identify the children most in need. If a child wishes to take a bicycle home, they are able to do so as we’re in a position to supply the nursery or preschool with more.”
Caroline Gardner, YMCA nursery manager, said:
“These bikes will mean so much to the children; they can use them at nursery, or they can take them home if they do not have a bike. We think it is an amazing scheme and are delighted to be part of it.”
For more information on the scheme, visit the ReCycle & BiCycle website at https://www.recycleandbicycle.co.uk/.
Well done guys,
this country must be skint if we are not sending them to Africa.
Worrying times ahead…….