A PROJECT which saw unused bikes and scooters donated to a city refuge to reconnect women and children with cycling has been nominated for an award.

Following an appeal, 155 bikes were donated, serviced and made available to women and children fleeing domestic abuse and violence at the refuge.

Using funding secured through the Department for Transport’s Access Fund for Sustainable Travel, Brighton and Hove City Council commissioned Sustrans to deliver weekly cycle training over the last 12 months.

The project is up for a Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Award in the Best Partnership category.

The project was a collaboration between the council’s transport projects team, community bike workshop Cranks, Sustrans and the city’s local refuge.

The winners will be announced at Modeshift’s annual conference on November 4.

Among those who took part in the project was a mother who was given support to help teach her six-year-old to ride for the first time.

Another woman, who had previously been scared to ride bikes after a bad experience, said she plans to go on rides with her 12-year-old son, who cycles to school every day.

“I can’t afford the bus fare to the beach and it’s too far to walk, so I’m so excited I can now ride there,” one of the women said.

Chairwoman of the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee Amy Heley said having donated a bike herself, she was thrilled the project could help so many.

“I’m delighted that so many have benefited from the generosity of people in the city and the wonderful impact cycling has had on those at the refuge,” she said.

Stonewater Women’s Refuge domestic abuse caseworker Shona Kynoch said the project has had a positive impact on the lives of those living at the refuge.

"One thing that stands out is watching the women cycling around the garden either alone practicing or having a lesson and seeing the sheer joy on their faces, they look so happy,” she said.

"Seeing how proud the women and children are when they learn to ride for the first time."

Sarah Leeming, Sustrans interim director for south of England, said: “It is down to the hard work of everyone involved that we have seen this project go from strength to strength.

“So much generosity and care has been put into helping the women and children to connect with the joy and many benefits that come from cycling.”