COUNCILLORS have once again supported an initiative which will see bicycles given some much-needed maintenance to make them roadworthy.

On Your Bike is a registered charity that was formed in Wellington in June 2010 and has previously held workshops at local schools and helped to fix bikes which have needed some TLC, while it has also operated out of the successful Pop-Up Shop in Fore Street.

Wellington Town Council’s policy and finance committee met on January 12 and were pleased to award a £1,750 grant to the charity.

On Your Bike has trained and supported people who have suffered social exclusion, physical disabilities and mental health problems/disorders, former Armed Forces personnel, ex-offenders, homeless and long-term unemployed to refurbish and service bicycles under the supervision of trained mechanics.

It aims to reduce the amount of bicycles going to landfill and to promote cycling as an active transport option for people.

The charity has booked the Pop-Up Shop again this year in May and will be offering free bike servicing for six days – with the grant aid from the town council funding four of those days.

It will also be holding another repair session at Court Fields School in Wellington which has been popular in the past.

Councillors were quick to praise the On Your Bike project and offer the council’s support once again.

Cllr John Thorne said: “This was a very successful project last and I remember that they were rushed off their feet.”

Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky added: “This is right up our street and the sort of thing we want to encourage.”

And Cllr Andrew Govier added: “I would be very happy to support this and give them the full amount.

“The work they’ve done previously on providing maintenance for bikes has, I’m sure, prevented quite a few accidents from happening.”