Pre-loved bike sales and repairs get children cycling this summer

CHILDREN have been snapping up bargain bikes and getting them road ready for summer adventures.

A pre-loved bike sale and bicycle repairs took place at Inspire Academy Ashton to help families have access to functioning bikes over the holidays.

It was the latest collaboration between Tameside Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester Bike Kitchen that is spreading a culture of cycling around Tameside.

Since the organisations started working with Inspire Academy to hold bike sales and checks and Bee Network events, the school has seen a large increase in pupils and parents choosing active travel to the site with their bike shelter practically full on most school days.

And residents elsewhere in Tameside can also benefit as Manchester Bike Kitchen are open every Wednesday and Saturday from 10am-4pm hosting pre-loved and new bike sales and cycle repairs at their store in Clarendon Square Shopping Centre, Hyde. It gives families the opportunity to buy fully-serviced bikes at affordable prices – particularly welcome during the cost-of-living crisis.

Manchester Bike Kitchen, a not-for-profit community interest company, welcome bicycle donations, which they repair and service to put them to good use and save them from going to landfill.

Councillor Jan Jackson, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Connectivity, said: “It was wonderful to visit the event at Inspire Academy Ashton and see how the pre-loved bike sales and repairs are helping families access affordable bicycles in time for the summer holidays. And I’m delighted that these events are fostering a love of cycling with more and more parents and children choosing active travel for the school commute and short journeys.

“Cycling is a healthier, greener, more sustainable travel option and we have lots of wonderful cycling and walking routes in Tameside, including the Bee Network.”

Samantha Poole, Year Two Teacher and PE Lead at Inspire Academy Ashton, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to offer our families good-quality, refurbished bicycles and the chance to get their bikes repaired. It’s been fantastic to see our bike shelter filled with bicycles as more and more of our children take up the opportunity to cycle safely to school.”

The school has taken part in events including story walks and fun runs at nearby Chadwick Dam, which features a Bee Network route that enables walking and cycling through the beauty spot that families can use to get to school and for other short journeys and leisure.

Greater Manchester’s Bee Network will provide a 1,800 mile, joined up cycling and walking network across the city-region to connect every neighbourhood and community and make it easier for people to get around on foot or by bike. It’s funded by The Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF) with £160million being invested across Greater Manchester. Find out more at www.tameside.gov.uk/MCF

To find out more about Manchester Bike Kitchen visit www.mcrbikekitchen.co.uk

For more information on cycling in Tameside go to www.tameside.gov.uk/cycling.