GWR boosts cycling project setting prisoners on path to a new qualification

GWR’s funding will boost Life Cycle UK as it takes unwanted bikes into a workshop at HMP Bristol, where prisoners learn how to repair them while earning a City & Guilds qualification in cycle mechanics.

As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to supporting community and not-for-profit organisations by aiding a number of initiatives.

Life Cycle UK’s Bike Back project is aimed at empowering some of the most disadvantaged members of the community – 95% of prisoners trained in Life Cycle UK workshops say their self-esteem and confidence is improved.

Once fixed, bikes are sold on at affordable prices to help people on low incomes reduce their transport costs.

In 2018-19, Life Cycle UK helped 78 prisoners save 492 broken bikes from landfill. It already works with GWR’s Lost Property Team at Bristol Temple Meads Station to collect bikes abandoned on cycle racks and trains for refurbishment.

This £10,000 grant will fund a permanent 20% capacity boost at its workshop at HMP Bristol so it can refurbish 100 additional bikes per year.

Chief executive of Life Cycle UK, Ed Norton, said:

“Life Cycle UK is so thrilled to have this support from GWR to expand our bicycle recycling work in the community. Not only will it help us to fix-up more abandoned bicycles for use by local people, but it will directly support the charity’s work to help prisoners qualify as accredited bicycle mechanics and build themselves a brighter future. It’s a real win-win!”

Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire said:

“I’m delighted to hear the great news of this support from GWR for community organisations in Bristol and on such a wide range of activities.

“I’m particularly pleased to hear about the grant to support the work of Life Cycle in HMP Bristol to train more prisoners to be accredited bicycle mechanics as they fix up more abandoned bicycles for use by local people.”

GWR Community Manager Emma Morris said:

“We have a specific pot of money designed to support community and not for profit organisations. Life Cycle UK’s project to tackle transport poverty, divert abandoned bikes away from landfill and to train prisoners as bike mechanics really appealed, as it is giving them renewed focus and helping them on the road to a new career.”

To find out more about Life Cycle UK please visit lifecycleuk.org.uk

Notes to editors

First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR was recently awarded an extension to its direct award franchise (called DA3), which shall run up to 31 March 2023 with an option to extend for a further year. 
Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us 

Life Cycle UK is an innovative, Bristol-based charity that transforms lives and the environment through cycling. We believe that with the right support almost anyone can cycle – and enjoy the health, social and environmental benefits. As well as teaching cycling skills and confidence to over 4,000 children and adults each year, our award-winning ‘Inclusive Cycling’ projects help people with disabilities, mental illness, offenders, disadvantaged children and isolated older people to feel happier, healthier, and more connected to the local community. Our work has been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Contact: Becky Whitlock, Communications Officer

becky@lifecycleuk.org.uk