Local charity, CamTrust, receives recycled bikes from Eddington

An initiative led by the Eddington Transport Team (part of the Sustainability team in the University’s Estates Division) working with Portal Estate Management saw a donation of bikes to local charity, CamTrust.

A regular clean-up of abandoned bikes at Eddington was undertaken recently. This exercise identified 15 clearly abandoned cycles removed from the public realm, initially for a period of safe storage in case any residents claimed them back. In tandem an extensive review of the condition of the University’s pool bikes was undertaken with six bikes deemed to be beyond their economically serviceable life, and so these were set aside for charitable donation. The bikes were all then delivered to Camtrust by Portal Estate Management at Eddington. The bikes will be sold or used for parts as part of their existing programme working with their clients.

CamTrust based in Impington, is a charity specialising in providing life skills for adults with physical impairments or learning difficulties. They offer a wide range of programmes and activities teaching skills for independent living. One area of work that they provide is teaching the adults to maintain bicycles. The charity then sells the bikes on its forecourt in Cambridge Road, Impington, which is a good example of recycling and re-use, as well as providing the wider community with the chance to own an economically priced bike.

Mike Davies, Transport Manager for the University of Cambridge commented: “Through this activity of recycling and reusing cycles at Eddington and within the wider University context, we are pleased to be able to help local organisations to support their charitable aims and supporting the circular economy as well as the overarching aims to be a sustainable neighbourhood.”

For more information about Camtrust visit their website: www.camtrust.co.uk