New bike project for Keighley job seekers

Reconditioned bike and cycle accessories are being made available to help Keighley job seekers travel to and from work.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has teamed up with the town�s Barnardo�s Bikes to provide the reconditioned bikes and equipment to jobless people, apprentices and NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) young people who have found a job but can�t get to it.

JobCentre Plus, Connexions and Keighley�s Project 6 are involved in the scheme. To apply for a bike from the scheme, which is supported by the Department for Transport�s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF), job seekers should contact West Yorkshire Combined Authority on 0113 251 7357 or email tpn@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.

Cllr Keith Wakefield, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Chair said:��West Yorkshire Combined Authority is committed to improving young people�s access to apprenticeships, training and good quality jobs.

�I am pleased to say we have been able to provide reconditioned bikes and equipment 150 people to enable them to take up jobs and travel to work through schemes similar to this and I am glad we can now offer job seekers similar opportunities in Keighley.

�It has proved particularly useful to people working shifts needing to arrive before or leave after first and last buses or trains. Plus it�s great exercise and good for the environment too.�

James Day, mechanic at Barnardo�s Bikes said: �Barnardo�s is really pleased to be working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on this valuable resource. As we work with teenagers who are NEET to refurbish the bikes, this project will be doubly helpful to unemployed young people in Keighley.�

Barnardo�s Bikes is a Social Action project based in Keighley�s Springfield Mills. The project is accessed by vulnerable young people and those at risk of offending behaviour. Experienced Barnardo�s staff work with these young people to renovate donated bikes and improve the young person�s future prospects. Bikes are given a full pre-departure inspection before they leave with their new owner.