Young People offered ‘pedal power’
Young People in Nuneaton are being encouraged to try pedal power as part of a new sustainable travel scheme setup thanks to funding from Warwickshire Crimebeat.
A group of Young People from Pastels Day Centre applied for the money to collect and repair old bikes, then hire them out for £4 a month to 13 to 19-year-olds who can’t afford to drive or use buses regularly.
The project received £950 from Warwickshire Crimebeat – which is funded by the High Sheriff of Warwickshire, supported by the private sector and managed by Warwickshire County Council’s ‘Positive about Young People’.
Eight bikes, donated by Warwickshire Police, will initially be used in the scheme and have already been pre-booked for the first month. Participants will also get a session in bike maintenance to improve skills and ensure they are kept in a good condition whilst on hire.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Funding from Warwickshire Crimebeat has enabled this scheme to provide an environmentally friendly transport solution for Young People, which could open up a number of opportunities they may otherwise have missed.”
David Whitehouse, head of Community Safety at Warwickshire Police, said: ”This is an extremely worthwhile initiative which will not only provide valuable experience for those involved in setting it up, but will also be beneficial to the young people of the community.
"It is always inspiring to see how creative young people can be when they are given the opportunity to put their ideas into practice and we are pleased to have been able to help them to get their idea off the ground.
“The bikes we have provided were unclaimed property which would otherwise have been sent to auction."
For more information regarding the sustainable bike project email Lisa Ridgway at lisa.ridgway@pastelsdc.co.uk.