East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is excited to announce the introduction of two brand new Street Bikes! The Street Bikes will allow the Community Safety team to engage with the varied and diverse community of the City of Brighton & Hove in a flexible, environmentally friendly, cost-effective and accessible manner.

While promoting a positive road safety message and reducing the Service's carbon footprint, it is hoped that the Street Bikes will provide greater visibility for the team and allow ease of access to areas with restricted parking.

Access to parks, the promenade and pedestrian areas will be greatly improved, providing greater opportunities for the Community Safety team to participate in community events such as fetes, festivals and PRIDE.

The Community Safety team have already taken a 'Bikeability' course which will enable the team to deliver bike safety training in schools and combine this training with important road safety messages.

In addition, the team also hope to reach a wide spectrum of the community from lawn bowling groups, to youth centres. This contact will allow the team to increase awareness and continue to build relationships with the communities that East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service serve.

Much like Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), the Street Bikes will make the Community Safety Team more approachable and it is hoped that the team will benefit from building a strong partnership with the City's schools and PCSOs.

The Community Safety team will be out in the community on the 5th June supporting World Environment Day and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service encourage their staff to cycle to work on that day!

The Street Bikes will be launched and available for everyone to see at the Hove Lions Carnival at Hove Park on 25th May.