Applications for refurbished bikes now open for Shropshire’s Ukrainian refugees
Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion of their country and currently residing in the Shropshire Council area will be able to apply for refurbished bicycles on loan, including cycling equipment, thanks to a new active travel initiative co-sponsored by Shropshire Cycle Hub and Shropshire Council.
The initiative, which kicked off in January 2023, is now accepting applications via Shropshire Cycle Hub as well as through the Shrewsbury based charity Shropshire Supports Refugees. The project’s aim is to provide the opportunity for the county’s Ukrainian guests to travel independently to school and work, while at the same time improving their overall health and wellbeing.
Having been fully checked over and repaired by the hub’s team of volunteers and expert mechanics, a wide range of donated cycles suitable for both children and adults will be made available to suitable applicants.
Some of the staff and volunteers at Shropshire Cycle Hub
In total, the fleet is planned to include 100 bikes, alongside which recipients will receive helmets as well as lights and locks, all of British Standard.
All guests will be invited to an optional training session from a qualified instructor to help to adjust to UK cycles and roads; where required, translators will be on hand to help. The bikes will be checked and serviced at regular intervals over a two-year period.
Speaking about this major bicycle loan programme, which is set to run for a period of two years, Mark Fermor, Chair of the Shropshire Cycle Hub’s Board of Trustees, observed:-
“We are delighted to be able to help Ukrainian visitors in this way. We are very grateful for the generous donations of secondhand bikes given to us by Shropshire residents up and down the county, and the support of Shropshire Council and our growing team of volunteers.
“Not only are we helping people at their time of need, we are also bringing old bikes back into beneficial use, and helping to create a more sustainable future for our county using our specialist mechanic resources to create a growing fleet of safe and well-maintained bicycles that can benefit our county for many years.”
Laura Fisher, Shropshire Council’s head of housing, resettlement and independent living, said:-
“We are really pleased to see this scheme come to fruition. We hope that access to the bikes will help promote the health and wellbeing of our Ukrainian guests. Cycling is also a great way for our guests and their hosts to experience and explore our wonderful county.”
Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and communities, said:-
“The volunteers and mechanics at Shropshire Cycle Hub have done a fantastic job of refurbishing this fleet of bikes, and special thanks must also go to the residents who donated them. The initiative is a great example of our community working together in the spirit of welcoming our Ukrainian guests.”
Contact Shropshire Cycle Hub to make an application.
