Leeds gets into gear with second bike library

Residents in the Chapeltown area will be able to jump on a bike for free, thanks to a new ‘bike library’ at the local community hub.

Leeds City Council is launching the second of its Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries at the Reginald Centre Community Hub on 27 July at 4.30pm. The first bike library opened at Moor Allerton Library in January this year, and is already proving popular amongst the local community.

The new bike library will give local families the opportunity to loan bikes for free using their current library membership card. There will also be the option to reserve and collect online through the existing library website.

Media opportunity:

When: Wednesday 27 July at 4.30pm

Where: Reginald Centre 263 Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 3EX

Members of the media are invited to attend the launch of the new bike library at the Reginald Centre. Cllr Debra Coupar will be joined by chief executive Tom Riordan, local ward members and local children to help open the new bike library.

Councillor Debra Coupar, executive member for communities, said:

“This is the second of our bike libraries to launch in the city and a great way for people of all ages to experience the benefits and joy of cycling without having to purchase a bike first.

“This partnership with Yorkshire Bank and Welcome to Yorkshire is just a part of the great legacy the Tour de France has left for the people of Leeds.”

Members of the public are also encouraged to donate their old bikes at the council’s one stop centre at 2 Great George Street. The donated bikes will then be reconditioned and be made available to borrow at the city’s bike library venues. There is more information about the ‘Donation Station’ at: http://bikelibraries.yorkshire.com/donation-stations/leeds-city-council

Following this initial start-up, three more bike libraries are planned at St George’s Centre, Dewsbury road and the Compton Centre.

Notes to editors:

• Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries is a three year joint project with Welcome to Yorkshire’s cycling initiative, Cycle Yorkshire
• Cycle Yorkshire is a partnership of Welcome to Yorkshire, local authorities and other key cycling organisations in Yorkshire committed to using Yorkshire’s Tour de France Grand Départ 2014 to deliver a region wide cycling legacy for all generations and all abilities.

Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries Partnership Overview

• Yorkshire Bank has partnered with Cycle Yorkshire to launch the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries initiative across the region.
• The aim is to make cycling more accessible in Yorkshire by providing communities with bike libraries.
• People are encouraged to amnesty their old bikes and drop them off at the designated donation stations.
• Donated bikes will make up the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries and be available to individuals, local enterprises and community groups to borrow, so more people, young and old, can enjoy the benefits of cycling.
• The partnership launched on 12 December 2014 will run for three years.

See link for more info: http://bikelibraries.yorkshire.com/bike-libraries/leeds-city-council