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Rutland County Council’s ‘My Bike’ project has been shortlisted for the ‘best partnership’ category in the Modeshift National Travel Awards.
The scheme was first launched by Rutland County Council’s Sustainable Transport team, in partnership with HMP Stocken, in June 2017.
It sees old and damaged bicycles restored and given away free of charge to people who don’t have a bike of their own.
Lucy Stephenson, portfolio holder for transport, said: “This project has multiple benefits, helping children, young people, adults and families into education, training and employment, as well as helping them enjoy the outdoors, by giving them access to free sustainable transport.
“At the same time, it gives prisoners at HMP Stocken meaningful work and new skills that could open up employment opportunities in the future.
“This project has been hugely successful and we’re delighted it has been highlighted for national recognition.”
Bikes disposed of at the council’s recycling centres are collected and reconditioned to full working order by inmates using HMP Stocken’s workshops.
To date, more than 150 bikes have been restored and given to people who need them.
