Could YOU help the Yorkshire Bike Libraries expand? Scheme looking for more donation points

In just a month since their launch, Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries have reached a milestone 1,000 bikes donated for use by children across the county.

The unwanted cycles have been given by the public to donation stations, where they are collected, repaired and reconditioned for use at a Bike Library.

Yorkshire Bank and Welcome to Yorkshire is now calling for more donation points, which can be individual addresses or business locations.

Liz Tattersley, bike libraries project manager, told the Wharfdale Observer: “The reaction from the Yorkshire public has been absolutely fantastic, and to have had a thousand bikes donated to the Bike Libraries initiative is a brilliant milestone.

“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.”

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, Sir Gary Verity, 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 first Bike Library is located at Fearnville in Leeds, and was launched in July to mark the one year annuiversary of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France there.

Helen Page, customer experience, products and marketing director at Yorkshire Bank, said: “We are delighted with the support 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 to have access to a bike.”

More libraries will be opening across Yorkshire during the coming months.

Click here for more details.