Council initiative boosts biking for schools

Christchurch City Council is helping two local schools ride into a new year with the donation of 20 free bikes.

Linwood Avenue School and Bromley School have been given 10 Avanti Black Thunder bikes this month, previously used in the Council’s Cycle Safe Programme. Cycle Safe is a programme teaching year six school students where they are taught to ride with confidence and be road-wise.

The bikes, which have undergone safety checks, were surplus to requirement after sponsor John Bull Cycle recently donated 20 new bikes to the Council to use in the programme.

They were listed on the Council’s Free Materials website, with both schools indicating their interest in them.

Bromley School plans to use the bikes on their new cycle track which is currently being built. Linwood Avenue School will use them for triathlons and as part of their lunchtime fitness programme.

Council Resource Efficiency Programme Manager Kevin Crutchley says the giveaway is a good result for both the Council and schools.

“Students at both schools will be able to participate in fun, healthy exercise from riding the bikes, and the Council can ensure its reusable resources continue to be utilised in a constructive, environmentally friendly way.”

Part of the Council’s Target Sustainability service, Free Materials allows the exchange of reusable resources at no cost between organisations including businesses, education providers, charities, community groups, and local or national government facilities.

Organisations register their interest on the website, giving them the ability to giveaway or acquire a range of materials including textiles, plastic, metals and furniture.

“Free Materials is a service which aims to reduce the amount of reusable materials going to landfill, while also supporting local organisations,” says Kevin.

“It’s a free, effective way for users of the service to reduce purchasing and dumping costs and we encourage any interested organisations to sign up and start trading.”

Free Materials was launched last year and currently has 404 registered users - 123 suppliers and 281 collectors.

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