Re~Cycle: Bikes to Africa had an amazing response to their request for unwanted adult bikes at the Saturday market in Newport.
Local co-ordinator, Sue Bailey said,
“It was amazing. The bikes didn’t stop arriving between 9.30 and 3pm. We hoped to be given about 30 bikes and ended up with nearly 90.”
Premier Ford loaned van at a discounted price
She continued,
“Bartletts have been fantastic giving Re~Cycle free loan of vans for nearly a decade, but they, reluctantly, were unable to help this time so I wasn’t sure if we would be able to go ahead with the bike drop off. Thankfully Premier Ford were able to loan us a van at a discounted price and we turned up at St Thomas’ Square in Newport to be faced with a queue of donations.
“There was barely time to hear people’s tales about their trusty steeds and why they were giving them up – but each person was happy to know that their bicycle would make a difference to someone’s life in Africa.
“By 1pm it became clear that there was not going to be sufficient room in the van, but the bikes kept arriving.”
Storage space courtesy of Metier Ingenuity
Sue added,
“At 3pm with the van as full as possible, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with all the extra bikes.
“Imagine my relief when the kind folks of Metier Ingenuity offered me a space to store the bikes until I am able to arrange another van and another crossing.”
Support from Wightlink
Wightlink ferries have given a complimentary ferry crossing to Re-Cycle, so, within days, this van load of donated bikes, will be delivered to the charity’s headquarters in Colchester, ready to start the next part of the journey.
Onward journey
In Colchester the bikes are loaded into shipping containers and shipped to one of four projects in the Gambia, Ghana, South Africa and Zambia. In Ghana, for example, bicycles are distributed through village bicycle projects in which Re-Cycle gives village bike mechanics detailed training along with specialized bike tools and spare parts.
This comprehensive, holistic approach ensures that bikes will be dependable, affordable and sustainable transportation.
Women and girls, who are frequently marginalized, are specifically targeted for inclusion in programs which begin to address the gender inequalities that limit their access to bicycles.
Sue finished by saying,
“Thank you, everyone who brought a bicycle. And apologies to those we had to turn down. Our next drop off day will be in May.
“See local press or the group’s social media page for details, closer to the time.”
If you would like to know more about Re~Cycle, see their Website.
News shared by Sue on behalf of Re~Cycle: Bikes to Africa. Ed
