COMMUNITY spirit can be further built through bikes after a supermarket donation helped a Hyde-based group towards their goal.
That is getting people – particularly the older generations – out of their home and into its premises for a brew, a chat and maybe even a new bike.
Manchester Bike Kitchen, which has set up in Clarendon Square shopping centre, has been boosted with a kind donation of £705 from the local Asda store.
And director Andy Hilton – who received the cheque from community champion Janet Parish – says that Empowering Local Communities Grant, will help them achieve their goal as it opens its doors every Wednesday.
He said after linking up with Tameside Council’s programme officer for physical activity Hayley McCaffer and community initiatives officer Marie Hare: “We’ve a new scheme which at the moment is called Bike and Brew, which is basically aimed at older people in Tameside.
“We’ve noticed we’ve had quite a lot of older people come to have a chat with us. So we thought we’d make it a bit more friendly.
“We went to Asda and said, ‘Would you throw in tea bags, coffee and some mugs and we’ll open up.’
“Now on a Wednesday between 10am and 4pm, we’re open for people to come in. We want people to get out of the house instead of watching garbage on TV and the same four walls.
“Just come and talk to us about old bikes. Come and have a ticker if you want.
“A man who lives locally and is in his 60s has already said he’s keen to organise local rides it’ll get people to come out, make friends and come and talk about bikes.
“Actually, you can talk to us about anything but get out of the house and come and talk to us.”
Manchester Bike Kitchen offers pre-loved bikes that people can buy, as well as helps train people on maintenance.
Already the store is busy, with plenty of people looking for parts as well.
But the reaction from the community – with them taking part in events in Hattersley soon – has been the main impact.
It could also result in a healthier borough.
Andy added: “The people have showed us they want it, there’s been tremendous support from the population.
“We’ve noticed we’ve had a really great response from the community as we’re not in any rush to sell you a bike – if you want one, there’s a bike for you but we’re not here to hard sell you.
“There’s less money in people’s pockets now and things need to change. What we can do is do our little bit and help make getting around that bit easier.
“Whether that’s a kid getting to school, families cycling along the canal or around a local park, or just going to and from work.
“We want people to be a bit more mobile and cycling’s great for people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
“So we thought, ‘We’re in the community and we want to be a part of it.’ The doors are open, come and have a cup of tea.
“Tameside Council has an aim for every child to have a bike. It’s difficult for councils to fulfil that, though, mainly because of the liabilities afterwards.
“If a council gives you a bike and it gets a puncture, a council officer has to try and fix it.
“But basically, we can provide that service. So we got bikes for a sale to looked after children and that went really well but members of the public said, ‘Why can’t we buy them?’
“That set the ball rolling. We spoke to Clarendon’s Square’s centre manager and they were very keen for us to come in, the council was and we were keen to.”
Manchester Bike Kitchen may be in Hyde now but the eventual aim is to spread everywhere.
Andy told The Correspondent: “People’s attitude towards cycling has changed massively, we were born out of lockdown.
“And this is the start, our intention is to go as widely into Tameside as we can.”