The BEN Re Cycle Project in Swansea takes in donations of unwanted bikes from the public to refurbish and repair in order to be able to supply them cheaply to low waged people, asylum seekers and refugees.
Most people dislike waste and would much rather see their old bikes used than scrapped. The Re Cycle project can rescue about 80% of the bikes and the rest can be recycled into spares or scrap. All reusable bikes are refurbished and safety checked by a qualified bike mechanic and trained volunteers before being sold on for a nominal fee.
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The project offers a centre for recycling, training in bike mechanics and a community service linking people wanting to use cheap transport and find out about where to go in Swansea. There are also some cycle rides organised from the project for newcomers who need support to get on their bikes!
Are you from one of Swansea’s ethnic communities? We are especially keen to support you and your family to try something new - come to the project and find out about fun cycle trips to the parks and open spaces around Swansea.
Anyone can be involved in the project by:
• Donating your old bike
• Volunteering to be trained to repair bikes
• Volunteering to collect donated bikes
• Being involved in cycling activities based at the project
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Simply take your unwanted bicycles to the Re Cycle workshop, or browse the showroom at Catherine Street (alley between number 19A and The Mill pub), off Bryn-y-Mor Road, Swansea. A map showing Catherine Street is available through the link on the right. http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=18352
The workshop is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm.
Some other activities the project has run are:
The Re Cycle workshop has been visited by Barry Island School so the children
can learn about cycling and recycling.
A Bike Doctor Event has taken place in Trallyn School: the Re Cycle mechanic
visited the school to check over the children’s bikes with them.
Any school or organisation interested in this type of event should contact the project.
One donated and refurbished bike has been made available for use as a pool bike at the Environment Centre in Swansea, and staff from the centre have received training on how to maintain their new bike.
Another participant, Ceri Mathews said: “the bike I had from Re Cycle was my only method of transport for job hunting in Swansea”. She was so pleased with the service, she would like to volunteer and assist other people in obtaining a recycled bike while she carries on job hunting.
For further information on the scheme, including how to donate your bicycle
and or become a volunteer contact:
Anthony Nicholls (Bike mechanic officer) on 07847 474 880
or Amina Ali (S. Wales Development Worker) on 01792 468271 amina@ben-network.org.uk
This project is supported by Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Wales
and the Waterloo Foundation.