We will create a community led Cycle-recycle-Hub for East Lancs based in Accrington Arndale Centre. Over recent years, we have collected bikes discarded at Recycling Centres and made them roadworthy and available for the local community. Covid slowed our progress, and we now have 600 bikes ready to be recycled . As a charity, we need help to get these back on the road for donation to community projects and school Bikeability groups and for residents to purchase at affordable prices alongside bike checks, spare parts, clothing, and well-being activities within the Hub. During the 12 month project we will refurbish the premises and employ a trained mechanic to fix up our existing stock of bikes, as well as training up community volunteers through basic bike maintenance courses and higher level qualifications for those wanting to gain employment. This will provide a solid operating basis to move stock out into the Community and create a sustainable Community-led model for the future.

What we'll deliver:

• Community Cycle Hub open to public 6 days a week
• Services of qualified mechanic during opening times
• 600 children and adult bikes from Recycling Centres made Roadworthy
• 10 volunteers trained for free and offering services to the community
• Free Cycle Hub Roadshows available for local events
• Free Led-Rides and cycling safety sessions
• 120 bikes donated to community groups and schools
• 50 free bike checks for local residents
• Opportunities to take up cycling as a Sport
• Further 180 bikes donated to community

Why it's a great idea:

Our Project will appeal to: Local people facing inequalities, negatively impacted by rising costs, and interested in affordable cycling for well being, fun, sport and active travel Environmentalists as we are saving quality bikes from going to landfill, reducing carbon footprints and reducing local use of cars for short journeys. Parents, Children, families and schools through access to bikes donated to community projects and schools, allowing involvement in Bikeability schemes without buying a new bike Residents looking to improve fitness levels through improving cycle confidence by getting a recycled, or their existing bike made roadworthy Those impacted by rising transport and fuel costs and needing affordable travel to their employment or training places Unemployed residents having access to a bike alongside mentoring, training and volunteering opportunities to develop skills, confidence and resilience plus qualifications that will increase aspirations and employability

Steps to get it done:

• Gain additional services of full time trained mechanic
• 10 volunteers in place
• Hub Refurbishment work completed
• First 100 cycles recycled by Christmas
• First Donations to Bikeability group
• First Donations to Community Group
• 3 x Roadshow events in Community
• Led rides timetable in place
• Half way point - 300 cycles recycled
• 2 x volunteers gains paid employment
• Big 600 - Community Celebration event

We are currently opening the Active Cycles Hub on a part-time basis using volunteers and a paid mechanic for 2 days a week and covering all facility costs at the hub. As a community based charity, our long term plan is to facilitate development of a sustainable self-sufficient Community -led-Hub creating a solid basis to continue to save quality discarded bikes from landfill and make them accessible to more Lancashire communities. We know we have a sustainable model, once we get the current backlog of bikes (600+) fixed and checked and ready to go. From this point, we can position the Hub to open 6 days a week as a self sufficient community project, led by local people, and offering volunteering and development opportunities alongside access to recycled bikes and well-being support. Funds raised from this crowdfunding campaign will be the first step on the road to turn long term Active Cycles Plans into reality and to ensure the work of the Hub is sustainable in the future.