Ealing Council have said that they plan to give away 1,000 free bikes in the next year as part of their plan to increase the number of cyclists in the borough. 

Ealing Council Leader, Peter Mason, and Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for thriving communities, visited Villiers High School in Southall during the school's active travel week on 11th May to give away 10 new bikes to children and talk to them about the benefits of active travel. 

The council have now given away 281 free bicycles to children and adults in Southall this year and also plan to give another 700 away to residents. 

Councillor Anand added: "It was great to see the smiles on children's faces when they received their new bikes. Working with our schools and young people to encourage them to get active and improve their health and wellbeing is so important to us." 

In addition to being given a bike, people helped by the Let's Ride Southall programme also receive training, daily cycle rides for people of all ages and abilities and a community of friends to cycle with. 

The programme is supported by a team of fully trained cycling ride leads and mechanics who are all Southall residents. 

London's largest community cycle centre also lies in the heart of Southall, next to Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and from there you can borrow a bike for free and join the free daily cycle rides. 

Councillor Mason said: "Let's Ride Southall is a unique programme which gives people the confidence to cycle regularly. In fact, it's the first of its kind in London. Ealing is leading the way in active travel."