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Pedal power for good causes: 22 December 2009; Merseytravel has donated five bicycles to the Bishop of Liverpool for use within the Diocese of Liverpool.

Over 45% of the parishes in the Diocese of Liverpool are areas of high multiple deprivation and the bicycles are currently being used by two organizations, Faiths4Change and Asylum Link Merseyside.

Faiths4Change support faith communities across the North West by enabling members and local residents to work together, turning ideas into small scale environmental projects and transforming neighbourhoods.

Asylum Link Merseyside is a grassroots charitable organisation that mobilises people of goodwill to offer a compassionate welcome and continuing support to those seeking asylum in Merseyside.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel said, “ We are delighted to donate these bikes for use within the community, we appreciate the pressures that voluntary and charitable groups are constantly under and so we are happy to see these bikes go to support such worthy causes”

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel added, “These bikes were formerly used as pool bikes at Merseytravel, so after having them refurbished we wanted to make sure that they went to good homes.

“Both of the organizations are using the bikes to allow their staff and volunteers to travel sustainably when attending meetings and visiting community projects.”

Merseytravel support cycling in a number of ways and are committed to promoting sustainable modes of transport.

Bikes are carried free across the Merseyrail network and on the Mersey Ferries.

In partnership with Merseytravel, Merseyrail recently secured a £1 million bid to become a National Cycling Demonstration Train Operator.

The money was awarded by Cycling England; an organisation supported and funded by the Department for Transport, will allow a total of 18 stations across the network to benefit from a variety of new facilities due for completion by late 2010.

As part of the Merseyside Local Transport Partnership, Merseytravel also supports WorkWise Wheels, an innovative scheme offering bicycle loans to people leaving benefits and taking up employment, who cannot access work via public transport due to shift working or location.

Picture caption left to right – Bishop of Liverpool James Jones, Councillor Mark Dowd and Neil Scales

www.faiths4change.org.uk

www.asylumlink.org.uk

www.workwisemerseyside.org; Back to Media Centre