Ayrshire College students and staff asked to get ‘On Yer Bike’
Ayrshire College launched ‘On Yer Bike’ at the Kilmarnock Campus this week, promoting the health benefits of cycling, in partnership with local charity Killie Can Cycle.
The main aim of ‘On Yer Bike’ is to encourage students and staff to cycle by offering reconditioned bikes for sale, and also a free bike maintenance service for those who already own a bike.
Run by a team of volunteers, Killie Can Cycle is a children's charity based in Shortlees, Kilmarnock. The charity collects bikes from local recycling centres, refurbishes them and sells them at a low cost in the community and surrounding areas. They also send bikes to children in third world countries to help them travel to school.
The initiative gives Ayrshire College’s Sports students and Uniformed Services students the opportunity to make a difference to the College and wider community, by working in partnership with Killie Can Cycle, raising awareness of the benefits that physical activity can have on mental health and wellbeing.
Prince’s Trust students have also got involved, working with the charity to build a wooden shelter at the charity’s base in Kilmarnock, which will enable cyclists passing the workshop to stop and access basic bike maintenance.
Founder of the charity, Gordon Neil from Killie Can Cycle said “the partnership with Ayrshire College is a great chance for students to provide their practical skills and we hope that this gives them a real sense of achievement, while at the same time, offering bikes at an affordable price to staff and students.”
James Adams, Head of Learning and Skills - Sports and Social Science said “It was wonderful to work with the well-established charity Killie Can Cycle to promote safe active travel for our staff and students. Our students were able to purchase affordable bikes and those with bikes received a free service and expert advice”.
The initiative will be rolled out across the College in the coming months.
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