Bicycles left at Banbury station to be given to refugees

A charity that repairs second-hand bicycles and then donates them to refugees has entered a partnership with Chiltern Railways that will see abandoned bikes left at railway stations given to refugees.

The project started at Marylebone Station and will gradually move onto other railway stations including Banbury over the next coming months, creating more room at stations and helping passengers to travel sustainably.

The Bike Project charity also has permanent donation hubs located in London and Birmingham, and a pop-up donation centre in Oxford, meaning these bicycles will directly benefit the local refugee communities that use the Chiltern Railway.

If a bike has been left for a prolonged time at a Chiltern Railway station, a four-week notification period will be given to the passenger to claim their bicycle and a removal notice will be attached to it.

If the bicycle is still not claimed, it will then be considered abandoned and will be eligible for removal by the Chiltern Railway.

Eleni Jordan, commercial and customer strategy director for Chiltern Railways, said: “We are proud to be partnering with The Bike Project and donating these bicycles to such an excellent cause.

"Abandoned bicycles take up space at our stations for those who need to use the facilities. If a bicycle needs to be removed and is in working order, The Bike Project will ensure it reaches a good home.

"We want to play our part in promoting sustainable travel, and this initiative allows us to free up much-needed space while supporting those in need.”