Pedal Power – supporting the community with free bike repairs

Residents were encouraged to repair, reuse and recycle at a free community bike repair session held at the Progress Way Reuse Shop run by SUEZ on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

The event was delivered by Penrose Roots, one of the recipients of the Better Luton Environment Fund and provided local people with practical support to repair and maintain their bicycles, helping to reduce waste and promote sustainable travel across the town..

The well attended event hosted at the Reuse Shop at Progress Way Tidy Tip, gave residents the opportunity to bring along bikes in need of repair, learn basic maintenance skills and receive advice from the Penrose Roots team. Visitors were also able to browse and purchase refurbished bikes from the reuse shop. The bikes have been collected by Penrose Roots after being discarded by residents, repaired by the team and returned to the shop for sale, helping items stay in use for longer.

The Better Luton Environment Fund is delivered by SUEZ in partnership with Luton Borough Council and supports local projects that reduce waste, enhance biodiversity and encourage more sustainable living. It is funded through the revenue generated at Luton's two reuse shops.

Jon Melling, Contract Manager at SUEZ, said: "This event showcases the positive impact local partnerships can have on both the environment and the community. Through their work with our reuse shops, Penrose Roots collects bikes that have been discarded by residents, restores them to working condition and returns them for resale, giving them a second life. Events like this build on that work by helping residents repair and maintain their own bikes. We're delighted that the Better Luton Environment Fund is supporting projects that make a real difference to local people."

A spokesperson for Penrose Roots said: "It was fantastic to welcome residents to the workshop and share practical repair skills that can help keep bikes on the road. Small actions can make a big difference, both environmentally and financially, and we're grateful for the support provided through the Better Luton Environment Fund."

The Better Luton Environment Fund launched earlier this year and has already supported a range of community-led projects across Luton, from biodiversity initiatives and community gardening schemes to repair and reuse activities.