Force donates 35 bikes to council cycling scheme

Representatives from Bedfordshire Police visited the Kingsway Depot last week to donate a selection of bikes to the sustainable travel team at Luton Council, which will be made available to those that need a bike.

The force has donated 35 bikes in total that had been seized from criminals, and were unable to be returned to owners if stolen originally.

Once refurbished, the bikes will be donated to members of the community who cannot afford a bike, or made available to purchase as part of the council’s 2040 vision to reduce air pollution and improve air quality by encouraging sustainable travel, reducing car use in the town.

Councillor Tom Shaw, portfolio holder responsible for Climate Change, said: “We have a great scheme to get bikes back onto the road and into the hands of people who could really use them, and so this is a very welcome donation. We currently have a waiting list of people in need of medium and larger size bikes.

“One of the main sources of pollution is road transport and switching to cycling is one way to help reduce that air pollution. This is a great way to encourage cycling.”

PC Scott Pattie said: “Bedfordshire Police is committed to working with local projects, in order to benefit the community. We are delighted to see these bikes go to those that need them most, as we know the benefits of having a suitable form of transport.”

If you have an old bike you no longer need that can be refurbished, you can take it to Unit 42 in the Kingsway Depot, between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday, or Luton residents can take them to their local tidy tip.