John Marshall MBE Awarded For Contribution To Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries

Following a unique award presented to John Marshall MBE on stage at the Tour de Yorkshire earlier this month, he today celebrated with the children that benefit from his work.

Through his role as the CEO of R-evolution, a charity which aims to develop the skills of disadvantaged people in local communities throughout the East Riding of Yorkshire, John has recently opened his 20th Bike Library.

There are currently 61 Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries across the county, which allow children who otherwise wouldn’t have access, to borrow a bike for free.

The Bike Libraries run by R-evolution include nine primary schools, four senior schools, four industrial estates, an adapted bike fleet and two refuges.

During the last 12 months, over 5,000 loans have been completed from John’s fleet of over 400 bikes - donated by people across the county via Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries ‘Donation Stations’.

John has plans to develop some of his Bike Libraries to include cycle maintenance courses, bikeability training and safety classes.

John Marshall, CEO of R-evolution said:
“It’s amazing how far the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries project has come. When we started our first library three years ago, we had ambitions to start several.

“Getting to 20 bike libraries and providing over 12,000 bike loans to children since the start has been amazing! The project has brought lots of happiness to children all across East Yorkshire and working in partnership with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Welcome to Yorkshire on the project has been great!”

Peter Dodd, Commercial Director of Welcome to Yorkshire, said:
“Through his charity, John has given so many children - who otherwise wouldn’t have had access - an opportunity to enjoy the thrill of riding a bike. Since we launched Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries in 2014, 75,000 bikes have been borrowed by children across the county, so it’s a huge contribution from this local hero and we’re really proud to have presented him with this well-deserved award.”

Helen Page, Group Brand and Marketing Director at Yorkshire Bank, said:
“Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries really do make a difference to the lives of children around the county so it’s fantastic to see people like John and his team contributing so much and making cycling more accessible to children across Yorkshire.”

The award-winning initiative was launched by Welcome to Yorkshire and Yorkshire Bank as a legacy of the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014.

For further information, visit www.bikelibraries.co.uk.