HALFORDS is to take unwanted bikes off customers’ hands in an initiative to provide affordable transport for communities in Africa.

From today until next Tuesday the bike retailer is inviting customers to take cycles currently lying abandoned in garages and garden sheds to any of its 460 stores.

Those donating bikes will be offered a 10 per cent deal off the price of a new model as well as seeing their old two wheeler go to a good cause.

Halfords has launched the scheme in partnership with charity Re-Cycle and hopes to collect 6,000 bikes during the trade-in period, after which they will be refurbished and distributed to help people in Africa.

Halfords chief executive Matt Davies said: “This is a great opportunity for customers to get rid of those bikes which are not being used and give to a great cause and get money off a brand new bike at the same time if they want to.

“Our partnership with Re-Cycle will mean these unwanted bikes will provide an opportunity which will result in people in Africa being able to transform their lives in a sustainable way. We feel that this is an exciting way to make a difference by doing something that is closely linked with our business.”

Merlin Matthews, the founder of Re-Cycle, said: “We are really excited about the partnership with Halfords. It will provide long-term opportunities to raise awareness of the great ways people here can very easily assist those in need in Africa.”

Models in most demand by Re-Cycle are sturdy mountain bikes for teenagers and adults although all bikes that are in a reasonable condition, including children’s bikes, will be accepted by Halfords provided they are complete, with no cracks in the frame and less than 25 per cent rust.

Re-Cycle was set up in 1997. Since then it has sent more than 45,000 bikes, as well as parts and tools, to 16 different countries in Africa, where bikes can be difficult to find and expensive.