Cardiff Council, in partnership with Cycle Training Wales has launched a new initiative to clear up and recycle abandoned bikes left around the city centre.
The joint scheme between the City Centre Management Team and Cardiff Cycle Workshop aims to increase access to cycling and reduce the number of bikes going onto the scrapheap by reconditioning them and reselling good quality bikes at affordable prices.
Unwanted and abandoned bikes are taken in by the Cardiff Cycle Workshop and are reconditioned and sold to the general public during monthly workshop sales. All the bikes undergo a thorough assessment before being serviced using both new and recycled components. Finally they are subjected to a pre-delivery inspection by a qualified mechanic before they are put on sale.
Cardiff has a problem with deserted bikes left around the city centre. If a bike has been abandoned notices will be placed on them giving the owners seven days to remove the bike under section 148 and 149 Highways Act 1980.
If they are not removed by the owners during the seven day period they will be removed and kept for 30 days at the Cycle Wales compound. After the 30 days they will undergo the recycling process.
Sales of the bikes are held at the workshop on the first Saturday of the month or people can visit the workshop during opening hours. The team also hold sales at schools and community organisations.
Rob Corp, Operational Manager for City Centre and Events said: “This is an excellent initiative which tackles the issue of people leaving un-wanted bikes around the city centre, whilst also giving something back to the community.
“By recycling them, more people have access to good quality, value for money bikes and can enjoy cycling as a hobby or regular method of transport.”
Jon Howes, Workshop Coordinator for Cardiff Cycle Workshop said: “We are delighted to enter into a partnership with Cardiff Council once again. We always need bikes to refurbish and we can help keep the city centre tidy at the same time. “
For more information about the scheme please visit www.cycletrainingwales.org.uk/cardiffcycleworkshop or call Cycle Training Wales on 029 2039 7283.
