TEENAGERS will build their own bicycles in a new £172,000 initiative launched in the Capital.

The free, week-long course is aimed at youngsters from poorer parts of Edinburgh.

It is hoped that nearly 200 young people will take part over the next four years to help boost their self-confidence.

Bicycle recycling charity The Bike Station is offering a course of eight two-hour sessions where participants will build a mountain bike, learn about maintenance and receive road safety training.

The course – funded by the Scottish Government and Big Lottery Fund – culminates in a day of off-road riding in Glentress Forest in the Borders.

The teenagers will then be expected to help organise "bike fixing" sessions in their own communities.

The Bike Station has held similar bike building courses in the past, but they have been on an ad-hoc basis and youngsters have had to pay for them.

Mark Sydenham, project manager with Edinburgh Bike Station, said: "When we have run these courses in the past we know they make a difference to young people, so it is good to get them on a more regular basis.

"Previously we have had to charge, but now it is free this should open it up for a wider range of organisations.

"At the same time as building the bikes, the those taking part are learning about how they work and how to maintain them. Building it themselves means they take that extra pride in the bike"

The bikes used in the course are new, but are dismantled before being put back together by the teenagers. The funding was announced by Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson this week.

Mr Stevenson said: "The build your own bike course is an excellent project which has made a positive difference to the lives of many young people.

"Not only does it teach young people a new skill that they wouldn't learn in mainstream education, but it also promotes active travel and a healthier way of life. I know it is very popular with youth and community groups, which is a strong testament to The Bike Station."

Founded in 2002, The Bike Station had a number of homes before opening in the basement of Waverley Station.

From there it moved to Causewayside in 2006 and last year took in more than 50 tonnes of discarded bicycles.

More than 60 per cent of those 3200 bikes are now back on Edinburgh's streets.

Local MP Nigel Griffiths said: "The Bike Station has done pioneering work encouraging young people to develop technical and engineering skills.

"It's great that their work is being recognised with this award. Hopefully many of the young people will choose to become engineers and play a vital part in our future economic success."

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