YOU might think of cycling as the ultimate in eco-friendly travelling.

What can be greener than getting out in the fresh air on something that contributes zero pollution?

But while the pursuit itself might be kind on the environment the materials and effort that went to make your bike or the gear you are wearing could be anything but. It takes a great deal of energy to create those bike frames and many jerseys and leggings are produced overseas, thousands of air miles away from their ultimate destination.

The Northern Echo: Photos of recycled bikes on the wall at Bike Stop in Darlington. Picture by Stuart Boulton.

Photos of recycled bikes on the wall at Bike Stop in Darlington. Picture by Stuart Boulton.

However, in an otherwise non-descript shop in Darlington one business is doing its best to provide an alternative.

Bike Stop is a specialist cycle shop and hub which takes donated pre-loved vintage and modern day bicycles and rescues, recycles, upcycles, and updates them ready for their next owner.

It was set up as a social enterprise by First Stop Darlington, a local charity supporting people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and those who are excluded from society.

The Northern Echo: A family bring in a bike for repair at Bike Stop in Darlington. Picture by Stuart Boulton.

A family bring in a bike for repair at Bike Stop in Darlington. Picture by Stuart Boulton.

"The bike comes to us for various reasons and the likelihood is it has spent time at the back of a shed or garage or often outside in the elements," said Bike Stop's Rob Archer. "Our highly trained mechanics look for the immediate potential of each individual bike and immediately assess whether we can recycle or not.

"However, no bike is wasted as we actively remove any salvageable parts for reuse. We can guarantee turning everything we receive directly or indirectly into something that will enthuse our customers, providing affordable bikes back to the community. We do on occasions receive rare gems where with loving attention and skill turn out a cycle which attracts the keen cyclist."

Rob thinks riders should at least think about buying second hand when they plan to upgrade their cycle.

"We feel strongly that the quality of bicycles from the past can and does stand up to the test against modern day bicycles in their quality of workmanship," he said. "Added to that is the character of each bike, the stories that some of the bicycles carry and the sophistication of a vintage bicycle, which surpasses many new bicycles that are available as new."

Rob said he was proud of Bike Stop's efforts to offset the environmental impact of cycling elsewhere.

The Northern Echo: Cycle mechanic Duncan Buckingham at work on an electric bicycle at Bike Stop in Darlington. Picture by Stuart Boulton.

Cycle mechanic Duncan Buckingham at work on an electric bicycle at Bike Stop in Darlington. Picture by Stuart Boulton.

"In general terms almost all bikes and clothing are mass manufactured in the Far East," he said. "For us at Bike Stop it is difficult to say if employment and environmental laws governing production is adhered to.

"What we do is reduce the amount of new bicycles purchased and also encourage people to think about recycling their unwanted bikes and bike accessories."

So what is the future for Bike Stop?

"Bike Stop was established in 2012 and to survive those first four years is testament to the direction, drive and skill of the team and ultimately the market forces liking and needing the services we provide," said Rob. "We have reached a level of business maturity and are ready to expand and enhance what we already deliver.

"As we are outgrowing our site we are ready to potentially make a move to the Railway station and give the station a new look in terms of retail presence and the services we can offer. Providing secure cycle parking, cycle hire, servicing and repairs, a retail outlet with recycled, upcycled, custom and bespoke and new bikes, accessories, parts and clothing."

Bike Stop also wants to develop events such as the bi-annual Buttonhole Run, the next one taking place in early October.

So when the urge takes you to put your current bike out to pasture, perhaps shelve plans for something from overseas and consider something a little closer to home.

For more on Bike Stop visit www.bikestop.org.uk

ELSEWHERE, in the North-East there are a number of companies doing their bit.

Zyro, which is based on Darlington's Faverdale Industrial Estate and is the UK’s largest privately-owned bicycle parts and accessories distributor, singled out the likes of Fenwicks - which produces, among other things, bike cleaners and lubricants - and TORQ - which makes performance nutrition products.

"Key is that the carbon footprint of Fenwicks is very low," said a Zyro spokesman. "Fenwicks take a very green approach, even sourcing all of their packaging materials from the UK .

"Because they are made here, shipping time and costs are kept to a minimum, whilst being very environmentally friendly.

"Fenwicks also produces concentrates that can be mixed with ten parts water. From a green perspective, a bottle of FS-1 is far more efficient than a competitor product.

"TORQ use ingredients originally sourced from other countries, for example, Fairly Traded bananas from Uganda, but the actual manufacture of the bars is in Sunderland."

There are numerous groups on Facebook and the like, such as the North-East-based, Big Elbows' Teesside And North Yorkshire Cycling Bargains, where people seek a better home for their once-cherished items.