Prison bike repair scheme taking scooter donations

A recycling scheme which sees prisoners refurbish bicycles is now accepting donations of kick scooters.

Through Swale Borough Council's Cycle-re-Cycle project, prisoners at HMP Swaleside have refurbished about 340 bikes since the project launched in 2024.

The bikes were resold for £10 to fund the continuation of the scheme, which is expanding to also refurbish manual scooters.

Swale environment services committee chair Dolley Wooster said the scheme was "growing from strength to strength" and the authority was "blown away by the support" from residents.

The project benefits the environment by "saving bikes and scooters from the tip" and helps prisoners with their rehabilitation journeys, Wooster said.

The local authority said the expansion of the scheme was supported by a £5,000 grant from Active Travel England.

A donation drive will take place on Friday between 08:00 GMT and 10:00 at the council's Swale House headquarters in Sittingbourne.

There are donation points for roadworthy bikes at Sheerness and Faversham waste centres.

"If you have a bicycle or a scooter that you aren't using, please consider donating it at our event and helping it find a new home," Wooster said.

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