Recycling Cycles

With help from the Devon and Cornwall Police and “Simply the Bike”; abandoned and stolen bikes are given a new lease of life by the Torbay Youth Service under the project name “Pimp My Bike!”

Through the early winter months, Torbay Youth Worker, Corinna Butler and volunteer youth workers in Watcombe, took bikes donated by Devon and Cornwall Police and made them work again under the guiding hands of Gwyn Morris, proprietor of “Simply the Bike”.

Simply the Bike got involved very early in the project once Torbay Youth Service had identified Watcombe as an area which would benefit from a cycling-orientated project. The group of young people was very keen cyclists and having the chance to work with an experienced cycle mechanic was too good an opportunity to miss.  

Part of the session was devoted to fine tuning the young people’s bikes such as gear or brake adjustments while the rest of the sessions were used to bring the donated bikes into full working order. The objective being to make the bikes work properly so those attending each session could take the bikes home at the end to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Gwyn hadn’t previously worked with young people, but found the work very rewarding and saw what difference his time and that of the Youth Workers made in Watcombe. His generosity with cost-price parts, time and experience given for free whilst running his shop in Torquay and opening his new shop - “Cogs” - in Plymouth is much appreciated.

The project has been so successful that youth workers are now engaging with other groups of young people in Torbay who have a passion for cycling.

Want to help with community cycling projects where you live? Contact the Torbay Youth Service.

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