Secure Cycle Storage at Crowngate
Spring 2021 – Crowngate Shopping Centre are pleased to introduce a new secure cycle storage pop up to assist with the safety of cycles within Worcester City Centre. There has been an increase in the use of cycles in the city due to the impact of COVID-19 and we also understand that by walking or cycling wherever possible, this also helps reduce carbon and impacts positively on sustainability. The secure cycle storage unit is a community hub for cyclists to share information about local cycle clubs, cycle groups, local cycle routes and information.
In 2020, 350 bicycle thefts were recorded in South Worcestershire, which saw an increase of 83.2% on the previous year. The majority of these offences took place within the City of Worcester in particular. Introducing a secure cycle storage hub will support our local business and provide a community group support within our city.
Inside the storage unit there are 10 standard Sheffield Cycle Stands (will accommodate 20 bikes), 1 Toast Rack for larger bikes (will accommodate 5 bikes), Electric power Points for EBikes, a Self-Service Cycle Repair Station with tools and pump, a Bench, a Mirror and 2 hand sanitising stations. The secure cycle storage is CCTV Security monitored and accessible 24/7.
Volunteer scheme for affordable bikes launches in Worcester
January 2023 – Cycling advocacy group, Bike Worcester, has launched a scheme to refurbish and recycle old bikes. The community group wants to help local people to make more healthy, sustainable travel choices with affordable bikes, as well as reducing the environmental impact of sending old bikes for scrap.
Making bikes more accessible
The purpose of the Bike Recycling scheme is to create value from bikes that would otherwise be left unused or sent for scrap metal. The volunteer-led scheme will mean that people in Worcester will have more access to affordable bikes. The plans have been based on other successful schemes in the area, including Evesham, Malvern and Cheltenham.
Bike Worcester are working with Worcester Council and are exploring relationships with local charities to find people who are most in need of affordable bikes.
Healthy and sustainable travel choices
Bike Worcester have already been donated a fair proportion of kids’ bikes which means they will be able to help parents who cannot afford to keep buying ever bigger bikes for their growing children. As well as providing immediate enjoyment, the group hopes this will nudge children towards healthy habits and sustainable travel choices that stay with them for life. Bike Worcester supports a number of family-focused initiatives for active travel, including Bike Bus for cycling to school and Kidical Mass.
By recycling bikes, rather than letting them be scrapped, we are greatly reducing the raw materials and energy consumption compared to making a new bike and disposing of an old one. This sustainability and energy saving benefit is really important right now and for the future.
Donate a bike
If you have a bike that your children or grandchildren have grown out of – maybe they have new bikes for Christmas – or you have a bike that’s sitting unused in your garage or shed, please donate it.
The easiest way to donate a bike is to bring it to the indoor bike parking area in Crowngate Shopping Centre, opposite Vision Express on Friary Walk, just off Angel Place. When you arrive, use the intercom on the outside door or call the Centre on 01905 610065 to let the security staff know you are there, and they will come and secure it or take it directly to our store.
If you have several bikes to donate, please phone ahead, so the team can arrange for you to drive into Crowngate’s loading area and have someone meet you and take the bikes.
November 2023 – Bike Worcester recycling scheme sees 100th bike donated at Crowngate.
A Penny Farthing enthusiast donated the 100th bike to Bike Worcester’s popular Bike Recycling scheme, run in partnership with Crowngate Shopping Centre.
Dave Preece, whose Dad stopped using his own bike when he started to struggle with Alzheimer’s, handed it over to volunteers who meet in the former vacant unit in Friary Walk.
Volunteers service and refurbish bikes together and then they are made available to people who might otherwise struggle to afford one.
Recipients of bikes from the recycling scheme have so far included parents who want to accompany their children to school, children keen to join in with their school Bike Buses, people who need a bike to get to work and refugees.
