Welder wanted to build wacky bikes (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Welder wanted to build wacky bikes

An excellent kindhearted welder is wanted by a recycling cycling charity to build wacky bikes.

The fun Overkill bike

The plan is to build bicycles which will be used to help older people and the disabled; and other types to use at fun days to get people interested in cycling.

Chris Evans, co-ordinator of the cycle group Crank-it-up, based in Bradford but covering the district, said: "We want someone who can work to the plans, who is an excellent welder and who prides themselves in their work.

"If they want to they can build them at home and do so in their own time or they can come down to our workshops. We know there is a lot of engineering experience in Keighley."

The first bike they want to build is called the Hammerhead.

Explained Chris: "This bike would be great for when we work with either older people or people with balance problems, as it has two wheels at the front. We even have the plans for a tandem version.

Getting the right bikes is crucial to our work. Sadly to buy a similar bike would cost us around £500 whereas by building one we would save around £450 which would allow us to work with either older people or those who are less able."

The group has a number of unusual bikes which it uses at fun sessions including a circus bike with the pedals in the rear wheel; and, an opposite steer bike where to turn right you have to turn the handlebars to the left.

They want to build two chopper bikes - one with extra long forks and the other with a massive rear wheel.

Added Chris: "We seem to have most of the unusual bikes so we now want to get some others built. The two choppers would be valuable assets and no doubt very popular whenever we hold our fun sessions.

"Once again we have the plans for both bikes and can get any advice the builder may need. These are just some of the plans that we have got the details for, we have even got the plans to build a hand-crank bike. Once the bikes have been built we will be having them powder-coated so they'll look great.'' Anyone who wants to find out more can visit crank-it-up.org.uk or cycle-recycle.org.uk, or phone Steve on 07835 840989 any evening between 6pm and 7.30pm.

The group has been helped by an American bike builder Kat at Atomic Zombie. You can see more bikes on http://www.atomiczombie.com/.