New Limerick bike hub is helping refugees and asylum seekers
A NEW volunteer-based bike hub has opened in Limerick city and is benefitting refugees and asylum seekers.
The hub, located at Singland Cross, St Patrick’s Road, in the city is an initiative where donated bikes will be repaired, before being distributed to people across the city and county.
Among those who will benefit are newly arrived displaced persons from Ukraine and other parts of the world, including asylum seekers living in direct provision.
The Bike Hub is a collaboration between a number of stakeholders including Limerick City and County Council’s Ukrainian Response Team, Doras and PAUL Partnership and is part funded by the Council’s Active Travel unit.
An Garda Siochana donated the first 19 bikes which were distributed with the assistance of Limerick Civil Defence to a number of Ukrainian accommodation centres.
Mayor of the city and county of Limerick Cllr Francis Foley said: “I am delighted to welcome the opening of the new Limerick Bike Hub. The Hub will help hundreds of people who have arrived in Limerick with very little. The gift of a bike will go a small way to making their new lives here that little bit easier.”
The Hub is now ready to accept donations of bikes for refurbishment and distribution free of charge to refugees and asylum seekers in and around Limerick.
Sonja Reidy, of the Ukrainian Response Team at Limerick City and County Council (LCCC), said: “The provision of bikes is key to unlocking opportunities for employment, education and recreation for displaced Ukrainians and other refugees in temporary accommodation in and around Limerick.”