Tour de Yorkshire: More funding for Cycle Banks
North Yorkshire
Further funding has been released to encourage the opening of more Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries as the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire legacy lives on.
A third round of enterprise funding is now open to help not-for-profit organisations wanting to set up a Library and increase access to cycling for young people across Yorkshire. The latest funding takes the project a step closer to giving every child in Yorkshire access to a bike.
Since the opening of the first Yorkshire Bank Bike Library last June, more than 2,000 unwanted bikes have been donated, 21 Libraries are now open and over 8,300 chances to ride a bike have been offered to children.
Project bosses are now particularly keen to attract applications from groups and individuals in North, South and East Yorkshire who are encouraged to apply for funding to set up their own Bike Libraries. The project can offer marketing and PR support and has a network of Donation Stations to help Libraries source bikes.
Helen Page, Propositions and Marketing Director at Yorkshire Bank, said: “The first two rounds of funding have enabled thousands of children to discover the excitement and freedom of riding a bike. As the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries expand further we’re very keen to support the set up of more bike libraries, enabling more children to access bikes across the county."
Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The third round of funding is an ode to the success of the Bike Libraries and brings us even closer to our goals of giving every child in Yorkshire the chance to discover the joy of cycling. We hope the Libraries and the Tour de Yorkshire continue to excite and inspire young people across the region.
The first two rounds of funding helped existing groups to expand and attracted new volunteers who have set up cycle coaching, maintenance and safety classes at their local community centres and schools.
Each Library is different and some offer short and long term loans, skills and training sessions, family rides or specially adapted bikes. Applications are welcomed from all types of community groups – the aim is to get more children riding bikes in Yorkshire.
For those interested in applying for funding, please visit www.bikelibraries.co.uk/enterprise-fund. Social Enterprises and not-for-profit organisations, particularly from North, South and East Yorkshire are encouraged to apply; applications need to be in by 4th March and there are full guidance notes on our website.
In addition, bikes are still needed and welcome in any condition, to be serviced and repaired and lent back out, or even used for spare parts. Please find a Donation Station via http://cycle.yorkshire.com/bikelibraries/donation-stations and it will be sent to a Yorkshire Bank Bike Library to be brought back to life.