Free recycled bikes are being offered to families in North Lanarkshire.

Community groups are gearing up to ride thanks to a new initiative which involves the council working with Recycled Bikes Scotland.

The project will provide bicycles to local groups to pass on to children and families to reduce waste.

Bikes left at the council's recycling centre's will be given to Recycled Bikes Scotland who will restore them for local groups to distribute.

The initiative was launched on Thursday, July 13 at St Augustine's Community Outreach programme in Coatbridge by Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of Environment and Climate Change and Councillor Geraldine Woods, Convener of Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty.

Councillor Loughran, said: “This new initiative is an excellent example of the council in partnership with Recycled Bikes Scotland to benefit people in our communities.

“It's also about reducing waste and recycling to deliver bikes for our residents.

“Today's launch is really just the start and we have other plans such as working with local nurseries and primary schools to ensure as many children receive a bike as possible.

"Not only are we recycling we’re also working to support cycling across North Lanarkshire helping people reduce their carbon footprint, enjoy the outdoors and have fun!”

Recycled Bikes Scotland works with a number of council services delivering a range of projects supporting local people.

At Christmas they work with our social work team to provide bikes to young people and currently, the contractor is working with the education service and Bike-ability Scotland to support young people in cycling proficiency.

Recycled Bikes Scotland work with the schools to identify pupils who don’t have or who are not in a position to purchase a bike.

Bikes are provided to the school and the pupils who require these can keep them at the end of their cycling proficiency programme.

Councillor Woods, added: “In addition to the recycling and climate benefits of this project, we’re also working to support local young people and families who may not have resources to purchase bikes.

"We want our young people to learn life skills, such as safe cycling, to improve their health and wellbeing.

"It’s important that affordability barriers are removed and everyone, young and old, enjoy the same opportunities.

"I look forward to seeing many more restored bikes provided for our communities.”