Ashington residents can prepare for Christmas with a bike swap

As bicycles often top the Christmas wish list, a Bike Swap day on Saturday, December 5 is set to help parents in Ashington replace children’s old bikes with ones that fit or the festive season. The Bike Swap day has been set up by Active in Ashington and is led by Sustrans and it aims to boost the community’s health by encouraging people to walk and cycle more of their local everyday journeys.

In sheds and garages all over the region, many unwanted bikes are left to gather dust when children outgrow them. To help find a new home for those that are unused, families are invited to donate their old bikes in a bid to replace them with a size that fits their youngsters in time for Christmas.

Taking place at the Hirst Welfare Centre on Alexandra Road, the event will be attended by resident Sustrans bike mechanic and project officer, Adam Bell, who will give parents and children advice on bicycle maintenance and travelling actively using local routes. Adam will also help match children with a bike that fits them best.

Sustrans Project Co-ordinator Mark Curr said: “With Christmas on the horizon, the Bike Swap event will be a great opportunity to help families clear their garages of unused bicycles that children have grown out of and pick up a more appropriate size to give their youngsters over the festive season.

“Cycling is a fantastic leisure activity as well as an easy and convenient way to get fit and healthy. So hopefully the event will also inspire people to get set up with a bike for many day-to-day trips to see family and friends.

“There are plenty of scenic, traffic-free routes waiting to be explored around Ashington, so the New Year period will offer an ideal time to get active and cycle away any winter blues.”

Following the event, there will be a number of leftover small bikes that local residents can apply to use on a long-term loan. Active in Ashington will hold an event for bike loan applications on Saturday 20 December.

Active in Ashington launched in 2007 and is based at Hirst Welfare Centre. Bikes for children and adults are maintained there by bike mechanics trained up as part of the project. Staff and volunteers also lead guided walks and cycle rides throughout Wansbeck.

For more information call Mark Curr on 01670 524 063.