A project run by leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans in partnership with Luton Borough Council, which recycles abandoned or unwanted bikes and loans them to local people in Luton has scooped one of the top prizes at the National Cycle Project Awards 2006.

The scheme, which encourages local people to get in the saddle and take part in cycle training, has loaned around 150 bikes to individuals, community groups and schools in the Marsh Farm, Dallow and Bury Park areas since it began in April 2006.

The unused bikes are collected by Sustrans’ Active Travel Manager from various sources, like the local police, and then refurbished by an independent bike mechanic before being loaned out. The bikes are then either given to individuals to use or kept by schools and groups for pool use while they are taking part in National Standards cycle training. Anyone who receives a loan bike is contacted regularly to check they are still using it and any unused bikes are then returned for use by someone else.