IN the wake of Team GB's huge success in the velodrome in Rio, cycling continues to grow in popularity.

Now children living in Scarborough and Ryedale have the chance to ride a bike for free following the launch of a new 'bike library'.

The 'Coast and Dale' Yorkshire Bank Bike Library has opened at Basics Plus, on Salisbury Street in Scarborough, and will offer free bike loans for children and families - as well as guided rides, bike skills sessions and bike maintenance courses.

It will be run in partnership with Scarborough and Ryedale Community Cycling – a community interest company which offers cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

Through the scheme, old and unwanted bikes can be donated at donation stations at various points in the region, including Big Bear Bikes, in Pickering.

They are then repaired and restored by mechanics before being loaned out to children and families for free.

Rob Brown, manager at the Coast and Dale Bike Library, said: "I'm really excited. This is truly a win-win project as it works on so many different levels.

"Firstly, it really works as a recycling programme - unused or outgrown bikes are given a new lease of life.

"Secondly, people who think they may like to try cycling can do so without having to go to the expense of buying a bike. If they enjoy the experience they will feel more confident about buying their own bike as they know what sort of bike they like to ride.

"Thirdly, anyone who needs a bike to get to and from work but isn't in a position to buy one just yet.

"And lastly, all those families who want to just get out in the fresh air and have some fun but either haven't got enough bikes for everyone or are unable to store bikes at home, we're there to help."

The scheme is sponsored by Yorkshire Bank and run in collaboration with Welcome to Yorkshire’s cycling initiative, Cycle Yorkshire.

For more information about the initiative go to: ybonline.co.uk.

There are now 32 Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries across the county. Since the launch of the first last year, more than 17,000 chances to ride a bike have been offered to children and around 4,000 bikes have been donated.

For more information visit bikelibraries.yorkshire.com.