Free bikes available in Glasgow to anyone who needs them with Golf It's new community scheme

A community group in the east end of Glasgow has launched a bike purchase and rental service at Golf It!– and it’s accessible to everyone.

Locals can pick up a free refurbished bike or pay what they can afford for hire - so whether it’s getting to work, school, or a family day out, you’re covered.

St Paul’s Youth Forum have been working with Golf It! long before the Glasgow golf attraction opened last August. Both are now on a mission to better the surrounding communities and 'give back'.

Now, they are introducing their On Bike rental scheme to Golf It! - this will allow locals to hire bikes for use around Hogganfield Loch and even buy or be given a refurbished bike for everyday use.

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Golf It!'s General Manager, Russ Smith said: “This is a big moment for us as we take our ongoing partnership with St Paul’s to a whole new level, providing transport options to those who need them as well as fun days out.

“The work they do is incredible across the board but the On Bikes initiative really grabbed us right from day one.

“It’s a pro-active and instantly effective way to give self-respect, independence, freedom and opportunity to people who otherwise would be reliant on public transport, which isn’t always suitable depending on work and so on.

“These bikes can be the difference between getting and keeping a job, or not. Also for kids getting to school, mums getting out and about day time and kids getting that first taste of independence.

“Of course the bike scheme also helps rehabilitate prisoners at Barlinnie, as well as providing a fun facility for families here at Golf It! to explore the local area and beautiful lochside.”

On Bikes, through their bases in the north and east of Glasgow city, will donate between 30 and 50 bikes a week to the local community.

The programme is solely charity based and relies on donations of unwanted bikes before working with the inmates of Barlinnie prison to refurbish them.

Neil Young from St Paul’s said: “Where Golf It! talks about ‘golf for everyone’, On Bikes believes in the freedom of cycling for everyone.

“No matter what your financial circumstances you can come to On Bikes and get a refurbished bike to keep free of charge.

“Our work with Barlinnie inmates on refurbishing the bikes is not only making old bikes like new and putting them into the community to improve lives, it also helps the inmates gain new skills and work towards rehabilitating them into society, knowing they’ve helped to improve lives.”

The new On Bikes facility at Golf It! offers five key services – bike repair, bike sales, bike hire, accessibility for those with mobility issues and it’s also a donation point for anyone with an old or damaged bike they want to pass on.

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Russ added: “The bike hire aspect means On Bikes really adds to the attractions for a family day out here - you can hire a bike from On Bikes and enjoy a cycle around Hogganfield Loch.

“Hundreds of cyclists go round Hogganfield every week and now you don’t need to own a bike to join them. You can hire a bike from On Bikes and pay what you can afford/what you think is a fair rate.

“And in the spirit of ‘cycling for everyone’ On Bikes have a range of accessible bikes for those with physical challenges and mobility issues. There are two-seater karts for example, if a passenger can’t move their legs to pedal themselves.

“Plus there are brand new bikes on sale at On Bikes/Golf It! - some of these are high-end bikes for enthusiasts, so they’re on sale at set prices.

“Rather than spending hundreds with a national bike retailer, spend local knowing the proceeds from your new bike go back into the community to help others less fortunate to enjoy cycling and the freedom it brings.

“There’s also bike repair – bring it in and On Bikes will refurbish it and keep you safe on your bike. Pay what you can afford.

“And if you’ve got an old bike that’s too small or unused, then donate it to On Bikes at Golf It! – it will be given a new lease of life as it’s given to someone who really needs it in the local community.”

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