The Community Tracks programme, run by Inverclyde Community Development Trust (ICDT), has been running since 2016, and provides a vital service – not just in keeping existing cyclists on the road (or the cycle track), but in encouraging more people to ditch four wheels and travel by two instead.

Project co-ordinator Ross McIntyre says the group has helped thousands of people over the years.

(Image: George Munro)

He said: “Our focus is on recycling. If people donate their bikes, we carry out repairs and maintenance and give them to someone in need of a bike.

“We also carry out private repairs, we can do small repairs like replacing a cable free of charge and we try to carry out bigger repairs at cost price.

“If it’s a very expensive part, we ask the person to buy their own part or we can source it for them.

“Since 2016, the number of people we’ve helped runs into thousands.

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“Since I started in July 2023, we have given away 500 bikes and carried out 150 private repairs.

“We also help asylum seekers, and we go along to gala events and run Dr Bike Sessions, where we do safety checks and minor repairs.”

Ross, whose background is in heavy engineering in the Merchant Navy, said his marine experience and his customer care skills made him an ideal fit for the role.

(Image: George Munro)

The workshop started off as an off-shoot of Stewart Phillips Cycles, and has been in various locations over the years, including the Trust’s own building in Muirshiel Road in Port Glasgow, and the Dutch Gable House in Greenock’s William Street.

The project is now run from Cloch Housing premises in Bogle Street.

“It is a vital service,” Ross said. “Everyone has either ridden or owned a bike in the past.
“Cycling  is the most viable form of transport, and our primary focus is to stop bikes going into landfill.

“It gets people out their cars and on their bikes.

“We do have a lot of cycle tracks in Inverclyde but they can’t be used if people can’t afford to run their bikes. We’re here to mitigate that.”

The members of the Community Tracks team are also passing on their skills to a new generation by running classes for pupils at St Stephen’s High School in Port Glasgow.

The bike maintenance class started in February 2024, and the pupils taking part are now able to secure a National 4 qualification at the end of the course.

Community Tracks has been spreading the cycling message across Inverclyde since 2016. (Image: Pexels) Ross said: “We are teaching pupils in the Action Hub, who might struggle in school, to help them get further qualifications.

“I really enjoy working with the young people, showing them how to look after their bikes.

“Hopefully they can help their brothers and sisters and friends and pass down these skills.

“We would like to run the project out to more schools.”

Ross runs the service along with one other paid member of staff, John Paul Docherty, as well as a full-time volunteer and a team of part-time volunteers.

When Ross isn’t teaching or repairing other people’s bikes he is out on his own electric mountain bike.

He added: “I enjoy a bit of mountain biking going downhill at the Greenock Cut.”

For more information on the Trust’s Community Tracks project, visit their website on https://www.the-trust.org.uk/community-tracks/