Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries Scheme Reaches Milestone

One thousand bikes have been donated so far to the innovative Yorkshire Bank Bike Library scheme which was launched in Yorkshire last month.The unwanted bicycles have been donated by the public to Donation Stations across the county, with those bikes being repaired and reconditioned for use at a Bike Library, to ensure all children across Yorkshire have access to a bicycle.

Liz Tattersley, Bike Libraries Project Manager, said: “The scheme has been really well received by people right across the county and even beyond, but now it’s a question of increasing capacity as we prepare to launch more Bike Libraries.”

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Since the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in the county last year, we have talked a lot about the legacy of the event, and what our hopes for the future of cycling in Yorkshire are.  “This milestone, and the success of the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries already, is a testament to how determined the people of Yorkshire are to make this county a cycling heartland now and for future generations.”

The Bike Libraries project, supported by Yorkshire Bank, is part of the legacy of the Tour de France’s visit to the county. The first Bike Library is located in Fearnville in Leeds, and was launched in July, one year after the ‘grandest ever’ Grand Départ of the Tour de France began in Yorkshire.

Helen Page, Customer Experience, Products & Marketing Director at Yorkshire Bank, said: “We are delighted with the support that the county has shown to the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries so far. To receive over a thousand bikes is a fantastic achievement. These bikes will be re-distributed to the eight initial Bike Libraries across Yorkshire, offering the opportunity for everyone in Yorkshire to have access to a bike.”