Bike repair and cycling training for your firm – and all for a good cause

15 April 2014 by Guest Contributor

Not too long ago, a friend of mine, Jem Stein, set up a brilliant social enterprise called the Bike Project. It has gone from strength to strength. The project is now loking for (i) new corporate clients for its very reasonable and professional bike repair service and/or bike training service, (ii) new bikes to repair. All details below and in this flier – Adam Wagner

The Bike Project was set up in late 2012 with the primary aim of refurbishing second hand bikes to give to destitute refugees and asylum seekers in London.

Many people come to this country with nothing, often escaping persecution. Whilst a number are forced to live on as little as £35 per week and unable to work as their status as a refugee is approved, those who are able to work find getting around on public transport simply too expensive. The effect that a bike can have is underestimated. It provides access to all that London has to offer: reaching charities that help with food, healthcare, education, and even the lawyer who can aid their application process. Of course, a bike can aid employment, if they are lucky enough to receive refugee status.

With our weekly Thursday workshop helping to give over 300 bikes away in our first year, we have been propelled forward by the eagerness of the refugees we work with and the appreciation over how their lives have been enhanced.

Now, with our main focus firmly established, we are seeking a number of additional innovative ways in which to generate income to further The Bike Project. At the beginning of 2014 we have set up:

1. A Bike Repair Service – A professional mobile repair service specifically designed for big business in that we offer a same day service, come to your office (and occupy as little as one parking space), at a competitive price. With clients such as Linklaters, Lloyds Banking Group, Boston Consulting Group and Ebay already on board, we hope to expand our list even further this year.

2. A Bike Training Service – We recognise that there are a number of would-be cyclists, and even current cyclists, who feel more than a little nervous cycling along London’s busy road. From one-on-one lessons to entire team days, we offer certified Cycle Awareness Training at an affordable cost.

3, Bike Project apparel – In an effort to make our Project as holistic and self-sustainable as possible, we are currently in the process of producing our own helmets and cycle tops which have been been designed by the refugees we have worked with.

Needless to say, all profits are reinvested back into the Bike Project

What we’re on the look out for:

• Second hand bikes
• New companies to join our repair service
• Cyclists or firms who’d like to use our training service
• We would of course be more than happy to host any volunteers who fancy getting involved.

Cycling is a clean, green and sustainable mode of transport for all. By helping London’s community of cyclists grow in number and quality, we can in turn empower those less fortunate to access the London which is rich in opportunities, and eventually become a fully sustainable member of society.

All details in this flier, on The Bike Project website and on Twitter