This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 900


25 Jun 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on...

20 Jun 2025

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.

16 Jun 2025

The ACT has welcomed the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking's report "Unregulated and Unsafe: The Threat of Illegal E-Bikes", which calls for urgent Government action to...

11 Jun 2025

A new academic study has found that overzealous pro-cycling campaigners on social media may be inadvertently damaging the case for better cycling infrastructure across the UK.

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street...

10 Jun 2025

Bike thefts across England and Wales have continued their steady decline, according to new data released by cycle insurance specialist Bikmo.

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring...

9 Jun 2025

 To coincide with Bike Week (9-15 June) – the UK’s annual celebration of cycling – new research has revealed a clear shift amongst Gen Z and Millennials in their approach...

Back to news menu

Prison bike repair shop aims to 'change the cycle'

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

A bike shop, where prisoners and prison leavers can learn skills which will help them find work, has opened for business.

Changing they cycle

Changing the Cycle is run by charity the Oswin Project from premises in the grounds of HMP Northumberland.

Prisoners will be given training on maintaining bikes, and the public can come and buy one or get them repaired.

James Teasdale, bike shop manager and trainer, said: "We want to create a bridge between prison and life outside and give people a second chance".

The project is the latest in a number run by the Oswin Project, including a cafe at Newcastle Cathedral.

The charity aims to help people with criminal records find employment, training and support.

Changing the Cycle operates by taking in pre-loved bikes donated by members of the public, which are then refurbished and repaired before being sold to prison staff and people in the local area.

Any revenue will be used to fund the project.

"This area of Northumberland doesn't have very much in the way of bike shops," Mr Teasdale explained, "and we've got a full range, from kids' bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes."

Prisoners will be able to work on a temporary licence which means they can leave the prison during the day, and the charity hopes to work with three people at any one time, which would rotate every six months.

The bike shop is next door to Growing Out, a farm shop which opened in 2023 which sells baked goods, fruit and vegetables grown and produced inside the prison.

"All the prisoners tell us the one thing they need most when they get out is a job," Mr Teasdale said.

"Many people who leave prison end up going back inside because they have so few opportunities to build a new life for themselves.

"Breaking that cycle helps them and makes our communities safer," he added.

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.