A much-loved community bike project celebrating 15 years repairing and rehoming unwanted bicycles explained to Metro Mayor Dan Norris just how they are going green and cutting their energy bills thanks to a cash injection from the West of England Combined Authority, which he leads.
Born in 2008 in a back-garden in Montpelier, the now Easton-based Bristol Bike Project has helped people from all walks of life get out on two wheels.
The Metro Mayor learnt how the bikers have installed LED lights thanks to £3,000 of funding from the Combined Authority when he attended one of the project’s flagship ‘Earn-a-Bike’ workshops.
As well as cutting their energy usage by 15%, it is estimated that this will save them over £720 annually on their energy bills.
Bristol Bike Project director Mike Lowe also explained to the Mayor how the project on Stapleton Road has supported over 2,200 people, including asylum seekers and the homeless community, via its Earn-a-Bike scheme. Talented locals work with volunteers to refurbish a donated bike which is then theirs to ride away, helping them protect the environment, their health and their wallet.
According to Mr Lowe, Bristol Bike Project now has referrals from over 50 organisations in and around the city.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said:
I’m so pleased a cash injection from the West of England Combined Authority I lead is supporting this much-loved project, helping talented Bristolians to go cycling for the environment, so they themselves can go green and cut their bills too. For the West of England to reach our really ambitious net-zero by 2030 target, we need to help all businesses become greener businesses.
This once again shows that when it comes to going green, our region is leading.
There is still time for other small and medium-sized businesses to go green and cut their energy bills, with the current funding window for Green Business Grants closing on 30 June. Interested companies should fill out a short ‘book a carbon survey’ form via the Combined Authority’s webpage.
The Mayor also got to see a brand-new mural painted on the front entrance of the site by local artist David McMillan for everyone in Easton and across Bristol to enjoy.
Green Business Grants are funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the West of England Combined Authority’s Recovery Fund.