'Fabulous to see people riding off into the sunset': New bike library hailed

A ‘bike library’ where cyclists can freely use helmets, locks, lights and hi-vis jackets along with their two-wheeled machines has been launched in Trafford. It has been introduced at Davyhulme Library to boost ‘active travel’ as part of the borough's campaign to lower instances of heart disease, improve mental health wellbeing and reduced carbon emissions.

The move was hailed by Davyhulme ward Coun Barry Winstanley who, along with his colleagues Couns Sue Maitland and Karina Carter, volunteers at the new bike library. At last night’s full council meeting (October 16) he said: “It’s such a delight to see someone who hasn’t been on a bike for years riding off. It’s an old cliche but you never forget how to ride a bike, but it’s so true.

“I’ve watched them go happily riding off into the sunset, and all absolutely free of charge. It’s fabulous.”

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Coun Winstanley priased supporters of the scheme, including Transport for Greater Manchester for providing start-up funding as well as ‘SUEZ’ for sourcing the bikes and Manchester Bike Kitchen for its ‘ongoing technical expertise’. Members of the public have also donated bikes to the scheme, he said.

He said that the plan to expand the service to include other accessories such as panniers and the long-term goal was to make lending bikes part of ‘everyday library operations’. “If any other members [councillors] want to open up a bike library, they only need to see me, Sue or Karina and we’ll very happily share our experience,” said Coun Winstanley.

Green party leader Coun Michael Welton said that the council should be ‘talking loudly’ about schemes such as the bike library. He said: “They should become accepted as normal. A bike library is an amazing starting point for people who want to get riding and who may not have had the opportunity before.”

Coun Welton also highlighted new bike stands in Stamford Park and Stamford Quarter in Altrincham and the first meeting of a new walking, wheeling and cycling forum which met last week. “We know that access to bikes is a social justice issue. It’s the cheapest and one of the most time-efficient modes of transport, opening up employment and training opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach, and can bring families and communities closer together,” he said.