Youngsters build bikes and confidence

YOUNG people from a city secondary school have swapped books for bikes in a project aimed at helping them increase confidence and educational attainment.

The successful Bike-It initiative has seen its latest six recruits build a BMX bike from scratch with backing from Dundee City Council, Police Scotland and local firm Nicholson’s Cycles.

Kevin Cordell, convener of the council’s neighbourhood services committee, himself a keen cyclist, said: “Bike-It is a great way of engaging with young people and giving them the opportunity to develop skills and confidence.

“The things they learn help to create confident individuals, successful learners, responsible citizens and effective contributors, which has a positive effect on them and the wider school and community.

“I also want to pay a sincere thanks to one of the city’s longest established names in cycling, Nicholson’s Cycles, who kindly donated lights and helmets to the young people taking part in the project.”

The youngsters taking part attended the Ardler Complex to gain skills in cycle mechanics by building a BMX bike, each of which has been donated to the project by Police Scotland.