Bring your bike back to Gort Road Recylcling Centre

TRANSITION Town Ennis is launching a bike-recycling initiative and a family cycle programme to mark the start of National Bike Week this weekend. The events are supported by Ennis Tidy Towns and Clare County Council Environment Section respectively.
Called the Bring a Bike Back initiative, the group is hoping to tap into the large amount of unused and unwanted bikes out there.
Colm O’Gairbhith from Transition Town Ennis pointed out that so many homes have bikes lying around unused.
“Either children grow out of them, bikes get slightly damaged and never repaired or that fitness resolution of a few years ago, which involved splashing out on a bike, got replaced by another fitness resolution.
“We’re asking people to take that bike, which is just taking up space and give it to us and we’ll match it up with someone who needs a bike and can’t afford one,” he said.
The initiative is being held beside the Ennis Recycling Centre in the Gort Road Business Park on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
“The idea is that someone brings a bike with their regular recyclable waste and then we’ll pay the €4 for their access to the recycling centre,” said Colm.
“We’ll be asking those who come to take a bike to make a donation of at least €4 to cover costs and any donations over that will go to the Brothers of Charity.
“We will be doing basic repairs on-site, like puncture-repair and oiling/adjusting brakes and gears but we’d ask people to bring bikes that are in reasonable condition, no rust buckets allowed,” he explained.
To see what bikes are available on the day facebook/twitter accounts have been set up for bringabikeback or else call Colm on 0876295679.
Ennis Tidy Towns has provided a €50 voucher for cycle accessories, which will be given to one lucky person bringing in a bike.
Transition Town Ennis is also organising a Family Cycle on Sunday.
A family-friendly cycle from the Fairgreen to Ballyalla Lake, a two-mile trip with no hills followed by picnic and games with over €300 in spot-prizes is up for grabs, courtesy of Clare County Council Environment Section.
The cycle will start at the St Joseph’s end of the Fairgreen at midday, aiming to be back at the Fairgreen for 2pm.
The broader aim is promoting cycling as both a leisure activity and simply as a way of getting from one location to the next.