‘I didn’t realise how much I cycled until my bike was gone’ – new initiative in Fingal to tackle bike theft among children
A new initiative in Fingal aims to tackle bike theft among children in the area by replacing them with recycled bikes.
"These are children who can’t afford new bikes if they are stolen so they just give up on cycling completely – it’s a massive barrier,” said Stephen McGinn, Walking and Cycling Officer for Fingal County Council (FCC).
"We do a lot of work in schools and I remember one child told me ‘I didn’t realise how much I cycled until my bike was gone’ and that they weren’t able to get to sports or after-school activities without getting a lift from their mum.
"The overwhelming common denominator among what the children told us is that it takes their independence away, they are left relying on their parents or public transport.”
The Second Spin project was launched by FCC and the Rediscovery Centre – a Ballymun-based organisation that recycles old furniture, bikes and clothes – to supply children who have had their bikes stolen with repaired bikes.
Since it was launched in September last year, 14 children have been supplied with a new bike.
"It’s a major problem around all of Dublin. Fingal is rural in parts and urban in other – the impact of losing your bike is worse – you might not have the same public transport options in some areas,” said Mr McGinn.
“We do a lot of work with around 38 secondary schools and we’ve found that most bikes are stolen from around shops, train stations and other places like that where bikes are congregated.”
To avail of a new bike, a child or parent can fill out an online form with their basic details, type of bike that was stolen and where it was stolen from.
FCC works with the Rediscovery Centre to match the type of bike to upcycle and replace it with.
"They check each bike to make sure it works how it should, then they offer free service after, which is helpful because it reassures people, they are also given a free and secure lock,” explained Mr McGinn.
"We’re trying to promote that you can upcycle your bike, and it will be just as good as a brand-new bike for people who may not have the same disposable income.”
Mr McGinn added that many stolen bikes go unreported among younger people.
“Bike theft is quite prevalent in Dublin – but having talked to the kids in schools, the amount of children with stolen bikes who would never report it is surprising,” he said.
“We’re probably only getting a very small idea of how much it happens – with Second Spin alone, among the limited number of bikes we’ve given out so far, the majority of them have not reported it stolen.
"Teachers and school principals will tell you that school car parks are a massive problem – especially when you buy a nicer bike, it’s more appealing – so we also try and replace them with a good quality bike.”