Leicestershire Schools Launch Bike Library to Support Low-Income Youth
Active Together is collaborating with more than 30 schools across Leicestershire to connect young people with bicycles through an innovative new scheme. This initiative will provide loaned bikes to children from low-income families in seven districts, enabling them to learn how to ride. The programme targets collecting approximately 450 bikes in total, specifically for youths aged between nine and 13, typically featuring 24-inch wheels. These bicycles will be refurbished and put into regular use by participating educational institutions.
Donation Drive and Collection Details
So far, Active Together has gathered 150 children's bikes but is issuing a final appeal for more donations to reach its goal. Donations can be dropped off at various locations throughout the county on the following dates:
- Monday, March 30: Enderby Leisure Centre, Mill Lane, LE19 4LX - 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM; Wigston Pool & Fitness Centre, Station Rd, LE18 2DP - noon to 2 PM; Parklands Leisure Centre, Washbrook Lane, Wigston Rd, Oadby, LE2 5QG - 4 PM to 6 PM.
- Tuesday, March 31: Lutterworth Leisure Centre, Coventry Road, LE17 4RB - 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM; Harborough Leisure Centre, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HF - noon to 2 PM; Huncote Leisure Centre, Sports Field Lane, Huncote, LE9 3BN - 4 PM to 6 PM.
- Wednesday, April 1: Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre, Stephenson Way, Coalville, LE67 3FE - 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM; Ashby Leisure Centre, North Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, LE65 1HU - noon to 2 PM.
Partnership and Support for the Scheme
The Bike Library scheme is supported by Choose How You Move, a partnership project between Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council, funded by the Department of Transport. Active Together is supplying the bikes and tutors, as well as arranging for donated bicycles to be serviced and prepared for use. Choose How You Move has organised for the bikes to be refurbished at Rutland Prison.
Training for the young participants will be funded through the Bikeability programme, which issues grants for cycling instructors to work with children across the UK. Sessions are scheduled to commence in March 2026.
Community Impact and Testimonials
Anita Bird, Assistant Development Officer for Active Together, emphasised the importance of the initiative: "Far too many children are missing out on the chance to learn to ride simply because they don't have access to a bike at home. By donating an unused bike, you're not only clearing space in your home - you're giving a young person the freedom, confidence, and joy that comes with cycling. This scheme is about opening up opportunities for children who would otherwise be left behind."
She added, "We've had some donations, which we are very grateful for, but we need more bikes if we are to achieve our target of 450."
Background and Related Initiatives
The Bike Library scheme builds upon the Set, Pedal - Go! Programme led by Active Together in recent years, which aimed to get children riding without stabilisers. Similar schemes are also operating outside the Leicestershire district council areas.
For instance, Rutland County Council's Health and Community Wellbeing Team is running the My Bike Rutland scheme. This programme involves prisoners at HMP Stocken gaining qualifications through workshops where unwanted bikes are reconditioned. The refurbished bicycles are then provided to individuals who would otherwise struggle to access a bike or who appreciate the concept of recycling.
