Derry recycling project saving hundreds of bikes from landfill hosts sale at primary school

A Derry project which has seen hundreds of bikes saved from landfill and upcycled from Pennyburn Amenity site has hosted a bike sale in a local primary school.

By Brendan McDaid

Published 17th Jan 2023, 11:53 BST

Updated 17th Jan 2023, 11:54 BST

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Sustrans and Life Cycles teamed up recently to hold a bike sale at Good Shepherd Primary School on Dungiven Road to allow parents and members of the wider community to buy upcycled bicycles.

Good Shepherd P.S. is one of the many local schools involved in Sustrans’ Active School Travel programme which helps more children be able to choose an active and healthy journey to school by encouraging walking, wheeling and cycling.

The Principal, Mrs McCafferty, was only too happy to host the event as Sustrans and Life Cycles align with her environmental vision for the local eco school.

Some of the member of Good Shepherd PS’s Eco Council who helped set up for the bike sale.

Some of the member of Good Shepherd PS’s Eco Council who helped set up for the bike sale.

She said: “We have been supported since September by Steven Ward through the Active School Travel programme which has been brilliant. We were delighted to be selected for it as where we are is such a hotspot for traffic and we are very keen to adopt active travel for the environment, for health and safety and for the children’s health and wellbeing. The work with Sustrans has been very well received by the whole school community.”

“I had seen Life Cycles on Facebook and thought it would be brilliant to host a bike sale in the school, anything that benefits the local community, helps people save a few pounds and gets the children equipped with quality bikes so they’re able to get out and about.

“Our Eco Council have been delighted to help Steven set up for the sale too,” she added.

Judith Blythe bought a bike for her four-year-old daughter Leah who is a pupil in the nursery school.

Jibimon Jose with his children, Clare Elsa (P2) and Righteous (P4) who got one of the bikes on sale from Life Cycles.

Jibimon Jose with his children, Clare Elsa (P2) and Righteous (P4) who got one of the bikes on sale from Life Cycles.

She said: “I think the sale at the school is such a good idea because it means parents can buy bikes for a good price. I’m happy to support it.”

Good Shepherd nursery school staff were thrilled to have the event in the school. They were able to buy a number of bicycles with stabilisers for their little pupils to use during the school day.

Life Cycles, a Zero Waste North West initiative, saves hundreds of bicycles from landfill by upcycling those left at Pennyburn Recycling Centre Bike Drop-off and other unwanted bikes which are donated to them. Life Cycles had support from mechanics The Bike General in Greysteel and BP Cycles from Strabane as well as a dedicated team of volunteers to get a wide selection of bikes ready for the Good Shepherd PS sale.

It’s hoped another bike sale will take place at the school in the spring.

Judith Blythe with her daughter, Leah (4), who chose a new bike at the Sustrans / Life Cycle sale in the school.

Judith Blythe with her daughter, Leah (4), who chose a new bike at the Sustrans / Life Cycle sale in the school.

Sustrans is based at the Active Travel Centre within the North West Transport Hub. You can find out about upcoming events on the Sustrans Northern Ireland Eventbrite page or on Facebook or Twitter @SustransNI. For more information on the Active School Travel programme, visit: www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2019/northern-ireland/active-school-travel-in-northern-ireland/ or email: [email protected]

Life Cycles sells bikes from the Active Travel Centre at Waterside train station; check out their Facebook page for details.