Two cyclists from Bristol have pedalled 2,158 miles to raise more than £700 for a bike co-op’s scheme to help marginalised and underprivileged local people.
Earn-a-Bike is a programme run by The Bristol Bike Project, where people who need affordable, sustainable transport come to refurbish donated bikes with the co-op’s team.
The co-op works with asylum seekers, people with long-term health issues, homeless people and those in recovery or on probation. Once the bike is refurbished, they take it – so they can look for work, visit friends, go to college or attend English classes.
Mechanics from the co-op help with the refurbishment, teaching basic mechanical skills in the process. The scheme emphasises empowerment and self-reliance and involves practical, hands-on engagement that functions as a bonding process between owner and bicycle.
Since 2009, more than 1,500 bikes have been earned from the project in this way.
Bike enthusiasts Tim Moore and Zoe Lawrence spent 70 days cycling across 12 countries to raise funds for the scheme – and planned their route to follow a similar trail to that taken by refugees across Europe.
They exceeded their target of £500 to raise more than £700, including gift aid, for the scheme.
“Asylum-seekers receive very little support when they arrive in this country,” said Krysia Williams, coordinator at The Bristol Bike Project. “They are not allowed to work and have to rely on state support – just £5 a day to live on. Having a means of affordable and sustainable transport is a lifeline for them.
“We’re delighted and humbled that Zoe and Tim chose to dedicate their ride to raising money for our Earn-a-Bike programmes. Our project is driven by volunteers, but it costs money to run the workshops and give the donated bikes the overhaul they need with new parts and accessories to ensure they are safe to ride.”
