YOUNG people who are stuck without means of transport have been told to get on their bikes, thanks to a new scheme.

Ryedale Voluntary Action has launched Wheels To Work, under which 50cc mopeds are offered for a nominal charge of £3 per week to people struggling to travel from home.

Dave Young, from RVA, said similar schemes had already proved successful in other parts of the country, such as Hambleton and Richmond.

He explained: "There are three mopeds on the road now through our Wheels To Work scheme, and within the next couple of weeks there will be another one.

"One of the lads is from Kirby Misperton, and he uses his bike to get to Pickering, where he can catch the bus to the Yorkshire Coast College.

"Another lad lives at Thornton-le-Dale, and he works in Malton as a builder's apprentice - he starts at 7am which is before any buses.

"Ryedale is doing exceptionally well, but this is a scheme which covers all of the Scarborough and Whitby area too."

Mr Young said the project aimed to provide help for people who faced problems trying to get to work or college.

"It just gets people over the initial hurdle of getting in to work, training or education.

"All three lads have been managing so far by getting lifts from parents or friends, but this gives them increased independence.

"It alleviates the need for parents to provide an unpaid taxi service."

Mr Young said there were hopes the popularity of the scheme would ensure it went from strength to strength.

"Already we are looking to increase the fleet by at least another six and hopefully another 12.

"The mopeds are provided for six months, and at the end of that people should have been able to save enough money for their own mode of transport."

18-year-old Nick Reston passed his Compulsory Basic Training at the weekend, and said he was looking forward to travelling to his job at Grampian Country Pork Ltd on his new moped.

"I left school when I was 16 and was in France for a couple of years - I was hoping to start up in a career as a chef but it didn't work out."

Nick, who was at Malton School, explained: "I live with my mum in Terrington and she was driving me into work.

"Getting the moped has been really important for me."

Updated: 08:33 Tuesday, October 01, 2002