Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council together with Rotary Dublin, Rotary Ireland, The Defence Forces and The Irish Prison Service are appealing for the donation of unwanted bikes for the School Bikes Africa Initiative. The Project has been running for over 6 years, nationally led by Rotary Ireland and with the co-operation and assistance of Local Authorities, the Department of Environment Climate and Communications (DECC), the Defence Forces and the Prison Service.
Bicycles can be left into Ballyogan Recycling Park during the following opening hours:
• Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm
• Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm
• Sundays/Bank Holidays 10:30am-5:30pm
In seeking unwanted bikes Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council require:
• Strong sturdy bikes capable of withstanding rough terrain.
• Bicycles that would suit primary or secondary school students.
• Bicycles with mountain bike type-tyres.
• Bicycles with a minimum tyre size of 24 inches.
Over 5,000 bikes have been collected, repaired and shipped to countries such as The Gambia where school students use the bikes to enable them to access education. They often travel distances greater than 10 kilometres to get to school.
David Murray, District Governor of Rotary, said, “Rotary Ireland is delighted to see the launch of the 18th collection centre for School Bikes Africa, and to welcome Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to the team. Together we can both improve the environment and enrich lives.”
An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy, launching the project said, “Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are delighted to be part of the School Bikes for Africa Scheme. This initiative not only demonstrates how we can encourage, reuse and repair to support the circular economy but ensures unwanted bikes are put to a worthy cause by providing children in Africa a better chance of accessing education. I would encourage everyone to consider donating any unwanted bikes to this worthy cause.”
Jason Dempsey of Rotary Ireland summed it up in saying, “the School Bikes Africa Initiative is a Win, Win, Win; a Win for climate change given the benefits of repair and reuse as well as promoting sustainable transport. A Win for prison inmates providing opportunities for training and rehabilitation and a Win for School Students in Africa in providing a better chance for availing of education”.
Source: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
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