Thanks to Sue for this latest from Re~cycle: Bikes for Africa. Ed
Another seventy-seven unwanted, or surplus, bicycles donated by Island people made their way to Colchester on a crossing donated by Wightlink, on Friday last week.
It’s the first leg of their journey to one of eight different projects in Africa where the bicycles make a huge economic and social difference to recipients.
Great support from the Island
Sue Bailey, Isle of Wight co-ordinator for the national charity Re~Cycle: Bikes to Africa, accompanied the bikes in a van loaned by Bartletts, fuelled with diesel subsidised by Vectis Sunrise Rotary Club.
Twelve volunteers had prepared the bikes for transit by removing the pedals and turning the handlebars the previous weekend and six people loaded them onto the van.
Sue said,
“It’s a real team effort. I couldn’t do it on my own!”
This powerful video shows some of the ways your unwanted bikes could help make a difference. Scroll down after the video for more info.
What a difference the bikes make
As well as taking the bicycles to Colchester, Sue, and her husband Neil, were attending a talk given by one of the partner organisations that receives bikes. Renato Gordon works for the Kaloko Trust in Zambia and has seen the difference the donated bicycles make, especially to girls.
Sue said,
“It is usually girls and women who carry the family’s water each day. Sometimes it can be up to 2km each way.
“Water weighs a hefty amount and bicycles are easier to repair than a broken back.”
Abandoned bike heads to Africa
Sue went on to say,
“One of the bikes came with a letter attached. The person who brought it to Innerspaces, (where the bikes were stored for free) found the bike, seemingly abandoned, contacted the police, tried to find the owner without success and decided to donate it to Re~Cycle.
“She has written a letter to the future owner in the hope she will be able to find out where it ends up.
“Many of the bikes which are donated have a little story behind them – it’s great to know a bit of their history and conjecture where they will be in a year’s time.”
Getting a new bike for Christmas?
Christmas is traditionally seen as a time for giving a new bicycle. What to do with the old one, can be a dilemma.
Sue commented,
“Often unwanted bicycles just sit around taking up space and being in the way. So, if that description fits you, don’t let your old bike just rust away, donate it to Re~Cycle: Bikes to Africa. It doesn’t matter if it has flat tyres, a rusty chain, or broken gears.
“Any useful components are stripped from bicycles which are beyond repair and shipped out as spares.”
How to make donations
Sue said,
“Sorry, but unfortunately, we can’t usually collect bicycles. Try asking a neighbour or friend if they could help, but if you can’t find anyone, one of the volunteers, Gilli, may be able to help. Contact her on 07739 017 061”.
For more information about the charity and the African partners, see the Website.
To know more about the local arrangements please contact Sue on 291179 or 07837 601 315 or see our facebook page Re-Cycle Isle of Wight
Image: © Re~cycle: Bikes to Africa
