Active Lancashire has been awarded the Community Impact Award at the BASIS Awards for its innovative Active Cycles programme, which is transforming cycling into a sustainable, accessible, and community-driven movement. Through a combination of waste management, sustainable transportation, and social inclusion, Active Cycles is creating a lasting impact across Lancashire by refurbishing and redistributing unused bikes. This programme not only provides affordable transportation options but also fosters environmental stewardship and empowers marginalised groups.
Active Cycles: A Sustainable Social Movement
Active Cycles is a standout example of how sustainability and community engagement can work hand in hand. Operating out of a hub in Accrington, the programme collects unused bicycles from waste sites and refurbishes them for reuse. By doing so, Active Cycles reduces waste, prevents bikes from ending up in landfills, and promotes cycling as an affordable and eco-friendly mode of transportation.
The initiative directly aligns with the BASIS Principles by addressing several key areas:
- Waste management: Refurbishing bikes reduces waste and promotes resource conservation.
- Transport & travel: Encouraging cycling as a low-carbon form of active travel.
- Economy & community: Creating affordable access to bikes and supporting community well-being.
- Healthy options: Promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles through cycling.
Sustainable Impact
The environmental, social, and economic impacts of Active Cycles have been profound. Each year, the initiative refurbishes approximately 1,200 bikes, preventing them from going to landfill and reducing carbon emissions equivalent to the offset of 48 average adults. This strong commitment to environmental preservation earned Active Cycles the BBC Green Award, further recognising its eco-friendly efforts.
Environmental Stewardship: By refurbishing and reusing bicycles, Active Cycles addresses the growing issue of waste while promoting cycling as a sustainable transport option. With every bike saved from landfill, the programme reduces CO2 emissions and encourages more people to adopt green travel alternatives, making a tangible difference in reducing Lancashire’s carbon footprint.
Partnerships and Social Inclusion: Active Cycles has partnered with organisations such as HMP Wymott, HMP Risley, and Lancashire Farms to involve inmates in the bike refurbishment process. This collaboration provides prisoners with valuable work experience, enhancing their skills and employability for when they re-enter society. This partnership is not only promoting environmental sustainability but also contributing to the social reintegration of ex-offenders, helping to reduce recidivism rates.
Additionally, the programme’s bike libraries and loan-to-keep schemes for NHS staff offer an affordable and accessible way for healthcare workers to commute. This scheme promotes healthier lifestyles, reduces congestion, and alleviates parking pressures around NHS facilities.
Community Engagement and Accessibility: Active Cycles reaches out to communities through pop-up shops, where refurbished bikes are sold at affordable prices. In just 11 weeks, the programme distributed 150 bikes and expanded into five additional areas, showcasing its adaptability and commitment to accessibility. The pricing model is designed to make cycling accessible to everyone, with children’s bikes available for £25 and adult bikes for £50. Furthermore, a kids’ exchange scheme allows children to trade in outgrown bicycles for just £10, promoting a culture of reuse and waste reduction.
Positive Impact on Sport and Society
Active Cycles has revolutionised the reputation of cycling by integrating sustainability into every aspect of the initiative. Traditionally viewed as a recreational activity, cycling is now being recognized as a powerful tool for social and environmental change.
- CO2 Reduction: The reuse of bikes has led to the reduction of approximately 48 adults’ worth of CO2 emissions annually, further establishing cycling as a key contributor to combating climate change.
- Changing the Narrative: Active Cycles shifts the focus from purchasing new bikes to reusing and refurbishing existing ones. This not only reduces waste but also promotes resource conservation, enhancing cycling’s reputation as an eco-conscious industry.
- NHS Partnerships: By offering loan-to-keep schemes and bike libraries to NHS staff, Active Cycles demonstrates the role cycling can play in promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing the reliance on carbon-intensive modes of transportation. This partnership between cycling and healthcare exemplifies how the sport can serve as a sustainable and practical solution to modern-day challenges.
- Prison Rehabilitation: The involvement of prisoners in the refurbishment of bikes highlights cycling’s role in social sustainability. By offering inmates the opportunity to develop valuable skills, Active Cycles contributes to rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, showcasing the positive societal impact cycling can have beyond just environmental benefits.
Expansion and Future Plans
Active Cycles’ success has sparked demand for expansion into more communities, and the programme plans to scale its efforts to reach even more areas across Lancashire. With its adaptable model, the initiative is poised to continue making cycling more accessible, affordable, and environmentally friendly for future generations.
Innovative Pricing Model: Active Cycles has ensured that no one is priced out of participating in cycling by offering bikes at ultra-affordable rates and encouraging a culture of recycling and reuse. The kids’ exchange scheme allows families to sustainably trade in old bikes, further reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to waste reduction.
Recognition and Inspiration
Active Cycles has received national recognition for its contributions to sustainability and community development. The BBC Green Award acknowledges the programme’s outstanding environmental impact, while its collaboration with local partners, including prisons and the NHS, demonstrates the wide-reaching societal benefits of the initiative.
Active Cycles serves as an inspiration for other regions to adopt similar environmentally conscious and socially responsible transportation solutions. By addressing multiple facets of sustainability—environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and waste reduction—the programme has set a new standard for how communities can engage with cycling in a transformative way.
Conclusion
Active Lancashire’s Active Cycles programme exemplifies how community-driven initiatives can create sustainable, long-lasting impacts. By refurbishing and reusing bicycles, promoting active travel, and engaging with some of society’s most marginalised groups, Active Cycles has established itself as a leader in sustainable transportation and social inclusion. The programme’s success serves as a blueprint for other regions looking to combine environmental sustainability with community empowerment.
Through its innovative and inclusive approach, Active Cycles has set a powerful example for how cycling can be a force for good—fostering healthier, greener, and more connected communities across Lancashire and beyond. The recognition of Active Lancashire at the BASIS Awards is a testament to the profound, positive impact the initiative has made on both the environment and society.
