After the huge success of last year’s Back on Track scheme Gwent Police has teamed up with the Caerphilly County Borough Children and Young Peoples Partnership and Halfords, to offer free bicycles as part of an scheme to reduce the number of off-road bikes being illegally ridden around the area.
Caerphilly residents are being given the opportunity to have a free mountain bike and accessories, in return for giving up their off-road motorbikes, trikes or quad bikes. The illegal use of off-road bikes is an issue that residents often raise at the local PACT (Partnerships and Communities Together) meetings. It is currently a PACT priority for the Penyrheol ward.
The scheme is being made possible thanks to funding received from The Children and Young Peoples Partnership and Halfords is also supplying the equipment at a reduced price. It’s simple to take part. Everyone who surrenders their mechanically propelled vehicle (such as an off-road motorbike), will be given a voucher, entitling them to a mountain bike, helmet, cable and lock, bicycle lights, puncture repair kit, riding mitts, high visibility arm and leg bands, as well as a three year bike care plan – all for free! Vouchers will be issued on a first come, first serve basis.
Residents from Aber Valley, Morgan Jones, Penyrheol or St Martins will be able to take part in the amnesty over of four week period in June. They will need to surrender their vehicle and pick up their vouchers during one of the designated slots:
Visit the Mobile Police Station:
Cwm Ifor Primary School
Monday 13th June 2011 – 12pm till 4.30pm
St Cenydd Comprehensive School
Tuesday 14th June 2011 – 12pm till 4.30pm
Heol-Aneurin Fish Bar, Penyrheol
Wednesday 15th June 2011 – 12pm till 4.30pm
Troed-y-Bryn (Outside Post Office)
Thursday 16th June 20011 – 12pm till 4.30pm
Aber Square, Abertridwr
Friday 17th June 2011 – 3pm till 8pm
or
Visit Caerphilly Police Station:
Monday 6th June 2011 – 12pm till 5pm
Tuesday 7th June 2011 – 12pm till 5pm
Wednesday 8th June 2011 – 12pm till 5pm
Thursday 9th June 2011 – 12pm till 5pm
Friday 10th June 2011 – 12pm till 8pm
Sergeant Andy Elias from the Caerphilly Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The illegal use of off-road bikes on local green spaces and along pavements and paths is a real concern to residents in the Caerphilly area. Not only are off road bikes dangerous, posing a risk to the riders and local community, they impact the quality of life for residents. Along with our operations – Back on Track is another way of helping to get these bikes off the road.”
Cllr Phil Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning said: “This excellent initiative was a great success when it last ran back in 2010, and I am hopeful that it will be as positively received once again. This amnesty is a good way of helping to get off-road bikes off the road, which are deemed a nuisance by many, while promoting the health benefits that cycling has”.
He continued, “I hope Back on Track will have long-lasting benefits for the local community”.
John Woolley Store Manager at Halfords Caerphilly said: “This scheme is a great way of helping people discover cycling as a practical mode of transport. By trading in your mechanically propelled vehicle, you’ll get a cycle, cycle accessories and three-year bike care plan, all of which will keep you safely on the road, with no running costs, for the foreseeable future.
“Cycling is good for your health, saves you money on transport costs and also benefits the environment – come down to Halfords and see how our expert bike technicians can help you.”
Terms and conditions will apply – for example, residents must be able to provide proof of address for Aber Valley, Morgan Jones, Penyrheol or St Martins wards in Caerphilly and the vehicle must be in working order. Anyone wanting to take part in the amnesty must be over the age of 18, or be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please pop into Caerphilly Police station for a full list of the terms and conditions.
