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Yorkshire Bank Bike Library launched as Fox Valley prepares to host Tour de Yorkshire finish

Yorkshire Bank Bike Library launched as Fox Valley prepares to host Tour de Yorkshire finish

Yorkshire Bank Bike Library launched as Fox Valley prepares to host Tour de Yorkshire finish

25 April 2017

A brand new Yorkshire Bank Bike Library has been launched at a north Sheffield bike shop to celebrate the Tour de Yorkshire.

Full Gas Bikes, in Fox Valley, Stocksbridge, was opened by former professional rider, Tony Gibb – a Commonwealth bronze medallist and Eurosport commentator – and lies right on the finish line of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire.   

The bike library is based in a transformed shipping container just outside the store and will offer free bike loans, Bikeability courses, basic coaching and maintenance courses. 

Launched as a legacy of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire, the bike library project, which is sponsored by Yorkshire Bank, aims to give every child in Yorkshire free access to a bike.

The project sees unwanted bikes donated at one of the county’s many donation stations, where they are then repaired and available to borrow free of charge.  

Tony said: “Full Gas Bikes is committed to encouraging people of all ages to participate in cycling but we recognise that not everyone has access to a bike.

“The addition of the bike library to what we already have to offer is our commitment to getting more children into the sport, and this will be underlined by offering Bikeability courses, basic coaching and maintenance courses and, of course, the full knowledge and support of our staff here at the shop.

"We couldn't be happier to help our local community recycle their old bikes so that they can be reused by lots of newcomers to cycling, and with the finish of the Tour of Yorkshire literally in our back yard, the timing couldn't be any better."

Since the launch of the first Yorkshire Bank Bike Library last year, 36,000 children have been given the chance to ride a bike and nearly 5,000 bikes have been donated. More than 40 bike libraries have also opened across the county.

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries is a truly unique scheme launched as a legacy of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire, designed to give every child in Yorkshire access to a bike, regardless of their circumstances.

“I am delighted to see a brand new bike library launching in Fox Valley and I hope it will inspire the next generation of cyclists to discover the joy of riding a bike for themselves.”

Helen Page, Group Innovation and Marketing Director at Yorkshire Bank, said: "We are delighted to support the set-up of additional Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries across the county. Giving more children an opportunity to have access to a bike is something we feel passionately about.”

Fox Valley will be the backdrop to the dramatic finale of the Tour de Yorkshire on Sunday, April 30.
For more information, visit bikelibraries.yorkshire.com 

ENDS
Images:
1. Peter Dodd, commercial director at Welcome to Yorkshire, Tony Gibb and Kevin Elliott, area manager at Yorkshire Bank at the launch of the bike library
2. Tony Gibb, Peter Dodd, commercial director at Welcome to Yorkshire, and Kevin Elliott, area manager at Yorkshire Bank
 
 

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk