Lucky children from Northwood School were the latest to benefit from the ‘Cycle Recycle Scheme’.

The primary school, in Thamesmead, received fourteen bikes in total, six of which will be used by students in year six to access the council’s cycle training programmes and encourage them to lead more active lifestyles.

The remaining eight bikes will be used by children in Key Stage One.

Councillor Alex Sawyer, cabinet member for traffic and transport, said: “Bexley is the number one borough for recycling and we are always looking for new ways to reduce waste and reuse items.

“Working in partnership with Sidcup Cycles this scheme means that we can put unwanted bikes to good use, rather than scrapping them. It enables residents, who might otherwise never have had the opportunity, to learn to cycle safely.”

The scheme encourages residents to hand over unwanted bicycles that are cluttering their homes, sheds and garages. The Metropolitan Police also donate unwanted bikes that they have.

Sidcup Cycles then services each bicycle, carries out any needed repairs and makes sure that they are fully roadworthy, before they are donated to local schools and voluntary groups.

Anyone wishing to donate a bicycle should email roadsafetyeducation@bexley.gov.uk or call 0208 303 7777 and ask for the road safety team.