Donated Bikes Coming South

Dunedin (Wednesday, 11 June 2014) – Dozens of bikes donated to a recycling project in Christchurch since the earthquakes are to be sent south for use in the South Dunedin Community Bike Library Project.

The 70 bicycles are surplus to the needs of the ICEcycle (Inner City East) project, co-ordinated through the Canterbury District Health Board, which restores them and then offers them free to low-income individuals and households.

DCC Safe and Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator Charlotte Flaherty says getting the bikes to Dunedin was shaping up as a problem, but KiwiRail, in conjunction with Toll TranzLink, has offered to transport the bikes to Dunedin free of charge. The bikes are expected to arrive later this week.

“It’s a very generous gift from ICEcycle and I’m delighted that KiwiRail and Toll TranzLink have been so willing to play a part by making sure the bikes come south.

“These acts of generosity are a huge boost for South Dunedin Community Bike Library Project. Getting this many cycles in one go will add a huge amount of impetus.

“Those bikes that can be readily repaired will be fixed up by the Dunedin Training Centre, as part of their trade skills training programme. Those that cannot be repaired will be dismantled for parts through the Department of Corrections Probation Services.”

Mrs Flaherty says once the bikes are ready for the road they will become an integral part of the bike library project. This is a pilot project, due to start in mid-late 2015, which will enable people to borrow bikes, locks and helmets at no charge.

“We hope we will see many more Dunedinites taking to the roads on two wheels.”

KiwiRail spokesperson Jenni Austin says while there’s a number of bike libraries around New Zealand, this was the first time bikes have been transported from one area to another and KiwiRail was delighted to be able to assist.

“KiwiRail is very aware that we are an integral part of the community nationally and when we were approached we were glad to be able to respond quickly and to involve one of our partners.

“We’re particularly happy to lend a hand to support other sustainable initiatives.”

The ICEcycle programme in Christchurch, which has been running since 2009, has given away 616 bikes so far, but is getting more bikes donated than it can deal with. Many are donated by people cleaning out houses, sheds and garages before leaving quake-affected homes.

ENDS

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