Children in low-income families in Cardiff are benefitting from a new scheme providing free, recycled bikes.
The ReCYCLE scheme forms part of Cardiff Council's One Planet Cardiff response to climate change and aims to enable more children to use active travel to get to and from school by overcoming the cost barrier of buying a bike.
The donated bikes used in the scheme are no longer needed by their original owners, but instead of going to waste they are refurbished with recycled parts, ready to be used again.
Since launching in September 2024, 72 pupils have received a bike through the scheme. All pupils are also provided with a helmet, bike lock, pump, basic cycle maintenance training, and cycle training.
Council cabinet member Dan De'Ath, said: "Once they have a bike, cycling is a cheap, healthy, and easy way for children to get to school, but for some families that initial cost is a barrier.
"Encouraging more people to choose active travel is central to our carbon neutral ambitions and hopefully the cycling habit children pick up early in life will carry with them into adulthood. But the benefits of this scheme go even further for some pupils, leading to improved school attendance and increased sociability."
One parent whose two children have received bikes through the scheme said: "I think this scheme is fantastic. The bikes are of a high quality and the helmets and locks are an added bonus. My children are so grateful to have been chosen to be a part of this scheme and both love their bikes."
Another parent said their son getting a bike had "changed his life," while another said: "It's amazing. He can ride to school himself instead of being driven. He's even started going out to meet friends on his bike, rather than staying in his room."
How the scheme works:
Pupils are referred to the scheme by their schools.
Successful applicants are given a voucher which enables them to visit the workshop of the council's bike supplier to choose a bike (and helmet) that fits them. Travel support (e.g. bus passes) is provided if needed to attend the workshop. Or for pupils unable to attend the workshop, the bike can be delivered to the child's school.
The council's road safety team provides free cycle training to enable referred pupils to cycle on roads safely. This also includes training in basic bike maintenance skills.
When a pupil grows out of a bike, it can be returned and exchanged for a new bike. The old bike can then be reused or the parts recycled to make new bikes for the scheme.
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