A CAR leasing firm has smashed its target for collecting unwanted bicycles

for the bike libraries scheme.

Synergy Automotive, in conjunction with Welcome to Yorkshire, set out to collect 50 unwanted bikes in eight weeks, to enable children and families to borrow bicycles for free and get fit in the countdown to the Tour de Yorkshire.

However, the company has now collected more than 70 after asking the local community to donate old, unused and outgrown bikes as part of the nationwide Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries programme.

The scheme aims to promote healthy living and social inclusion, boosting Welcome to Yorkshire’s vision for every child in the county to have access to a bike. All bikes are checked and repaired before being loaned.

Synergy managing director Paul Parkinson said: “The response to the campaign has been tremendous and we have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity in bringing all

types, styles and sizes of bike to our offices.

“We are also delighted to be providing Welcome to Yorkshire with two support vans for the keenly-awaited Tour de Yorkshire 2018, one of the most celebrated and successful races on the cycling calendar.”

Synergy’s call to action at their Harrogate offices achieved their goal in just four weeks thanks to contributions from businesses and local people across North Yorkshire.

Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive Sir Gary Verity said: “We’re grateful that Synergy Automotive have thrown their support behind our award-winning bike libraries project, which in three years has seen over 5,500 bikes donated.

“Synergy have done an excellent job in collecting donated bikes which will go on to make such a difference to the lives of children across Yorkshire.

“I’d like to thank them for their fantastic contribution.”

The bike libraries programme was launched in December 2014 and operates 63 donation stations and 49 bike libraries across the region.