Middleton gets into gear with new bike library

Middleton residents will soon 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 third of its Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries at the St George’s Centre Community Hub on Monday 1 August at 4.15pm. The first bike library opened at Moor Allerton Library in January this year, and is already proving popular amongst the local community and the second opened just last week at the Reginald Centre in Chapeltown.

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: Monday 1 August at 4.15pm

Where: St George’s Centre Community Hub, St George’s Road, Middleton, LS10 4UZ

Members of the media are invited to attend the launch of the new bike library at the St George’s Centre. Cllr Judith Blake and Cllr Debra Coupar will be joined by members of the community to open the new bike library.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“Bike libraries are a fantastic way to encourage people to take up cycling without having to purchase a bike first. I am sure the people of Middleton will take full advantage of this great opportunity.

“This partnership with Yorkshire Bank and Welcome to Yorkshire is another example of how communities are benefiting from the great legacy the Tour de France has provided for the people of Leeds.”

Councillor Debra Coupar, executive member for communities, said:

“Our community hubs really are the centre of our communities, providing easy access to numerous services. These bike libraries are an excellent example of what is on offer for Leeds residents right on their doorstep. By making cycling more accessible we can help to encourage our residents to be more active and see more of our wonderful city.”

Members of the public are also encouraged to donate their old bikes at the council’s one stop centre at 2 Great George Street in Leeds city centre. 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 donation stations at: http://bikelibraries.yorkshire.com/donation-stations

Two further bike libraries are planned at the Dewsbury Road one stop centre and the Compton Centre community hub.

Launched as a legacy of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire, the project, which is sponsored by Yorkshire Bank, aims to give every child in Yorkshire access to a bike.The project sees unwanted bikes donated at one of the county’s many donation stations, where they are then fixed up and available to hire free of charge.Since the launch of the first library last year, more than 17,000 chances to ride a bike have been offered to children and around 4,000 bikes have been donated.

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