Katie White, MP for Leeds North West, met with local parent Fiona Millington, who organised the Yeadon Tarn Community Bike Track Event to raise awareness of the issue and promote practical solutions.
The event brought together West Yorkshire Police, Leeds Youth Service and Riverside E-Bikes & Cycles, attracting dozens of families who attended with their bikes.
On the day, police officers offered security advice and fitted identification stickers to bicycles, helping to deter thieves and improve the chances of stolen bikes being recovered and returned to their owners.
To encourage attendance, local businesses donated prizes for a free community raffle, highlighting the strength of local support for the initiative.
Speaking after the event, Ms White praised the effort, said: “We want to be encouraging children to get out on their bikes – concerns about bike theft are discouraging rather than encouraging this.
“This was a brilliant event organised by an inspiring local mum who saw the problem with her son’s friends and wanted to raise awareness and highlight some of the solutions. I look forward to working with her, the police and the youth service on making our community more cycle-friendly.”
Event organiser Ms Millington said she had been motivated by concerns about her own children’s safety.
She said: “I’m really proud of what we achieved together. As a mother, I want my sons to have the freedom to explore on their bikes, but I’m nervous because of what some of their friends have experienced.
“That’s what prompted me to attend the PACT meeting a few weeks ago, and the event grew out of a conversation there with local neighbourhood police officers.
“We want to give young people the confidence to do what they love and to stay safe. Look out for another event in the summer holidays.”
Local councillor Eleanor Thomson (Lab, Guiseley & Rawdon) also attended and praised the initiative.
She said: “It was wonderful to see everyone working together in the sunshine. I’m really impressed with the way Fiona brought an idea to a meeting and then worked with the police to make it happen — she’s a real credit to our community.
“Building young people’s confidence in contacting the police, engaging them with the Youth Service and giving them the tools to keep themselves and their bikes safe is really important.
“Bike theft and antisocial bike use are two challenges we face locally, and ones that need to be tackled as communities alongside our police and partner agencies.”
Residents interested in protecting their bikes are encouraged to contact West Yorkshire Police for advice on security measures or attend future local events.