At Cyclehoop, we believe in bikes being a viable choice for everyday mobility.
We want everyone to experience the joys of cycling which is why we partner with The Bike Project to provide refugees and Asylum seekers with bikes and D locks. In July, we spent a day volunteering at their Deptford location to do exactly that.
The Bike Project
The Bike Project is a charity that collects old bikes, refurbishes them, and then donates them to refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.
With an estimated 38 million unused bikes across the UK, they work with the community and their corporate partners, like Cyclehoop, to get their hands on as many of these bikes as possible, turning them into usable modes of transport and leisure for those in need.
Since starting in 2013, they have donated over 15,000 bikes to those in need, taught over 800 women to ride a bike through their Pedal Power scheme, and paired up over 400 Bike Buddies to make sure everyone who receives a bike is confident enough to use it.
The Bike Project also refurbishes and sells “high value” bikes that have been donated. All the money from which goes straight back into funding the charity.
The Cyclehoop Partnership
Sometimes life moves on and bikes get left behind. When a bike is abandoned in a Bikehangar, we contact the owner and hold onto it for 6 months. If the bike remains unclaimed, we donate it to the Bike Project.
On top of donating our abandoned bikes, we are also the official Lock Sponsor for The Bike Project and have sponsored 500 high-quality D locks and cables. For many of the people
who rely on The Bike Project, their bike is their only means of transport so having a strong lock is essential.
Why this is so important
In the UK, the average time for an asylum claim to be processed is 39 weeks. During this time, refugees and asylum seekers are banned from working and cannot claim mainstream benefits. Assuming they are housed in catered accommodation, these refugees receive just £9.85 each week to live on, an allowance that can quickly be swallowed up by transport costs alone.
Providing refugees with bikes can be the difference between isolation and connection. When travel is free, it allows people to explore the places they live, meet friends, and run errands on their own time, at their own pace.
Lending a helping hand
Last Thursday, some of the Cyclehoop team went down to The Bike Project in Deptford for a day of volunteering.
After a short introduction session with The Bike Project team, we sat down and were shown a presentation that illustrated the realities of being an asylum seeker in the UK and how The Bike Project has helped.
We then spent the rest of the day helping over 20 refugees and asylum seekers, including a family of 4, choose new bikes, as well as setting them up with D-locks, cables, helmets and lights – everything they needed to get them on their way.
Chris, our Associate Project Manager had this to say
“Helping to provide bikes to those in need really shows the power of bikes – something that never gets old. We had a very fun day filled with loads of smiles.”
Find out more
The Bike Project are a magnificent charity who truly understand the power of cycling and the benefits it provides, regardless of background. If you want to learn more about the work they do, donate an old bike, or buy one of their premium builds find out more here: https://thebikeproject.co.uk/