R-evolution given three-year grant for Hull cycle hub
By Rick Lyon
R-evolution has been awarded a grant of £90,000 a year for the next three years to continue its work running a cycle hub in Hull’s Trinity Market.
The city centre cycle hub opened in March 2021, providing free secure parking for up to 40 bikes, as well as carrying out small repairs and maintenance.
Since then, the hub has evolved and the services it offers now include:
Affordable bike sales
Refurbishment and recycling of old bikes
Electric bike hire
Basic maintenance training
Safe cycling demonstrations and workshops
Training and employment for young, disadvantaged people
In 2022, the hub sold 271 bikes at affordable prices and carried out 1,086 small repairs, including goodwill repairs. Almost 3,500 bikes were parked there over the year, with 35 long-term cycle library loans provided and 20 bikes donated.
R-evolution’s cycle experts held 59 demonstrations showing people how to fix their own bikes.
The charity also provided six work placements at the Trinity Market hub, with 18 trainees working at other sites in Hull. These trainees achieved a total of 24 City & Guilds qualifications and five have since found work.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, portfolio holder for roads, Highways and transport, said: “Since the pandemic, many people have been choosing to use greener forms of travel to get to and from work.
“The city centre cycle hub and community cycle hubs offer a great range of services to support and encourage those who wish to cycle in Hull, as well as providing training and qualifications to help people into work.
“The city centre hub also helps bring footfall into Trinity Market, playing a vital role in supporting local business. I am delighted that the council is able to help this work continue.”
John Marshall, CEO of R-evolution, said: “R-evolution love nothing better than encouraging people to cycle and are delighted to be continuing this successful project alongside Hull City Council.
“The service provided is helping to upskill local people and contribute to recycling, carbon reduction and health agendas.”
R-evolution also runs community cycle hubs across the city, providing weekly drop-in sessions for free bike repairs, training for volunteers and bike rides.
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