June 5th 2013

Connected has teamed up with Life Cycle UK to bring a great new scheme to the city. Bike Back Derby is a brilliant way to get your hands on an affordable ‘recycled’ bike.

Life Cycle UK works with prisoners at HMP Stocken, and teaches them highly valued skills in cycle mechanics.  On leaving prison, inmates who have worked on our project will have achieved a City & Guilds level 2 in cycle mechanics.  Once refurbished and checked over by a qualified mechanic, they are sold at affordable prices with the aim of helping people on low incomes to start cycling.

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The scheme saves old bikes from landfill, teaches prisoners employability skills and provides a supply of refurbished bikes for the community.

Councillor Afzal, Cabinet Member for Planning, Environment & Public Protection said:

Derby already has a high number of people who cycle around our city, and I am very excited about Connected and Bike Back Derby scheme, and the developments it will bring.  Almost everyone has an unused bike in their garage or shed, and the fact that these bikes can be recycled, and brought at low cost allowing more people to take up cycling, has massive advantages for the city.”

Jon Hughes, Project Manager of Bike Back Derby, also commented:

Bike Back Derby is win, win, win all the way. It helps prisoners learn new skills; it helps the environment by reducing waste and it helps people on low incomes get bikes, get cycling and get fit. Help us keep this brilliant project going by donating your old bike!”

Life Cycle UK host regular donation sessions around the city and will accept any adult bike, of any age and in any condition.

For more information, visit the Bike Back Derby website.