IT’S what every four-year-old wants for their birthday – a brand new shiny bicycle. Bath charity Share and Repair will launch their new cargo bike on Thursday 22 April, the fourth anniversary of the project, and take it for a festive circuit of the city complete with a birthday banner, party hats and a giant bow.
The bike will allow the charity to reach more people in all parts of Bath with their repair and lending services. It was paid for by local supporters with match funding from Bath and North East Somerset Council and the LocalGiving platform.
Founder and organiser, Lorna Montgomery, said: “We tried out using a borrowed cargo bike during lockdown and had a fantastic response from the public. It proved to be a lifeline for those who were shielding, because we could collect, fix and return a much-needed kitchen item like a broken kettle. Or drop off and pick up a projector for a lockdown movie night, a sewing machine to keep busy or a power tool for essential DIY.
“Having the bike will reduce car journeys into the city and the struggle to find parking. We hope it will make borrowing and fixing just as easy as ordering something new from a big website, but with much less impact on the planet.
“We are so grateful to everyone who responded to our appeal last autumn, and to BANES Council and LocalGiving for matching the donations made. It is the best birthday present for our young and energetic charity - we know it will make a big difference to our work and those we work with.
“We’ve been trialling the new bike over the past few weeks, and it always turns heads. That’s before it had the big birthday banner, bow and party hats, so we are really looking forward to taking it out today around the city to celebrate our anniversary! I’m sure it will raise a few smiles wherever we go!”
Share and Repair have invited the public to join in the birthday fun by spotting the bike around town and share a picture on social media with the hashtag #ShareBike for the chance to win a free loan from their party and event selection.
Share and Repair is a volunteer-led registered charity. Further information is available at: www.shareandrepair.org.uk
On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ShareRepairBath