Wheely good Santa Cycle in city on Saturday

Santa knows there’s a cost of living crisis and everyone needs to help the climate so he’s championing recycled bicycles this Christmas.

A bumper range of lovingly restored bikes will be available on Saturday, December 10, from 1pm to 5pm, at the Waterside Train Station in Derry.

Life Cycles has lots of bikes, as well as a few scooters and trikes, for all sizes, at the Active Travel Centre in the North West Transport Hub at the train station.

The initiative is part of Zero Waste North West's Life Cycles, which saves hundreds of bikes from landfill by bringing back to life all those donated at Pennyburn recycling centre's bike drop off point.

Thanks to a team of volunteers, trained with support from sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, which works in partnership with Life Cycles in Derry, the bikes are fixed and checked, ready for the road before being sold on at a competitive price.

Sustrans Active Travel Officer, Cat Brogan, said: “Bikes are always a very popular present and there are dozens available at our Active Travel Centre.

"As well as the Big Christmas Big Sale on Saturday, we are open on Wednesdays 10am to 1pm, Thursdays 6pm to 8pm, Fridays 1pm TO 5pm and Saturdays 1pm TO 5pm, so anyone can stop by and see what’s available. A bike isn’t just for Christmas.  

“Myself or one of the team can advise on size and positioning so everyone is happy with the bike they buy. It’s particularly good for children’s bikes as they can grow out of them very quickly so by buying a pre-loved one, it saves on cost. We also accept donations of any bikes that children have outgrown and take £5 off a replacement bike."

To get into the spirit of the season, Sustrans is also running a Santa Cycle after the Big Christmas Sale.

The Santa Cycle will leave from the Active Travel Centre at 5 pm. We’ll be cycling Derry with everyone dressed in Santa suits. There are only a few places left on it, so book for free on Eventbrite: HERE.

There are also many active travel initiatives taking place throughout the year at the  Active Travel Centre, which is perfectly placed on the North West Greenway Network.

Cat added: "The Sustrans Active Travel Centre in the North West Transport Hub is encouraging people to walk and cycle more for everyday journeys, cross-border travel and to connect with public transport.

"This programme is funded by the North West Greenway Network and is made possible in partnership with Life Cycles, a Zero Waste North West initiative, and Translink."

For more information contact: cat.brogan@sustrans.org.uk or call 078 2501 8836 or check out our Eventbrite page SustransNI.