Bicycle reuse initiative sees over 90 bikes donated across Clare to those in need

Clare County Council’s Integration and Environment teams, in conjunction with Clare Sports Partnership, successfully completed a bike reuse initiative in October, with 91 bicycles being donated by the public.

Bikes were accepted at the Central Waste Management Facility in Inagh, with environmental community wardens assisting some members of the public with transport to make donations. The bicycles were then sent to Landscape and Leisure Cycles, Kilrush, for safety checks and necessary repairs to ensure they were roadworthy, before being distributed across the county. The repairs were funded through the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment’s Anti-Dumping Initiative 2025.

Executive Engineer in Waste Enforcement at Clare County Council, Maria Carey, said, “We were delighted to receive such a strong response from the public. The number of donations received reflects a growing awareness of the importance of supporting a circular economy, through reuse and repair, among the wider community. Public participation was key to its success, showing the value of working together for sustainability.”

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The initiative was promoted through social media and local media outlets, encouraging people from across Clare to donate unwanted bicycles, free of charge and to give them a second life.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the project has had a direct impact on people’s lives. Clare Sports Partnership played a key role in ensuring the fair allocation of all donated bicycles. An inventory of bike sizes was created and each donated bike was matched to the most appropriate recipient. Priority was given to those needing bikes for work or education, with allocations also directed to children with disabilities. 

Programme Manager at Clare Sports Partnership, Pat Sexton, explained, “Whether it’s children cycling to school or adults using bikes to get around, it’s all about becoming more confident as a cyclist and at the same time getting active and staying healthy. We were delighted to be able to support the fair allocation of bicycles to ensure they reach those who need them most. We are also delighted to be able to provide training to the recipients of donated bikes as part of this initiative.”

Integration Support Co-ordinator at Clare County Council, Brendan Boyce, highlighted, “Access to a bike can make a huge difference for families and individuals, particularly those most in need. It helps people travel, integrate and connect with their communities. This has been a great initiative to be involved with, and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to work in partnership to deliver this project, including the provision of helmets to support safe cycling.”

This bicycle reuse initiative highlights the environmental and social benefits of working together. By reducing waste, improving access to transport and collaboration, this project shows how local action can deliver global impact.