Bike Project
We have lots of projects going on around the Humber to help remove barriers and enable people to either get on a bike for the first time, keep their current bikes fit and healthy, or improve their confidence and skills knowledge through cycle maintenance training. Find your local bike hub on our areas page.
The Bike Project is focused around, well – bikes. Because we believe bikes are important for a million reasons:
They can provide transport to work or school; they can widen employment opportunities; They offer an eco-friendly way of travel; they keep us fit; and they bring us the achievement of finally getting to the top of that huge hill – and the terrifying joy of the ride down. But that’s not all it’s about. Because we believe in community, in giving back, and in the notion that everyone should have access to the joy that comes from learning to ride.
Want to help us out? Don’t forget you can donate your unwanted bikes. They will go on to be refurbished, recycled and reused as a part of our training course, and will later go on to make stock for our bike libraries, or to be sold in our workshop at accessible prices. Sounds great, don’t you think?
Looking for repairs, sales or training courses? Call us on 01482 844422 for more information.
Cycle Maintenance Courses
A cycle maintenance course is a crash course with a professional mechanic in small groups: these courses range from ½ hour, 1-hour and 3-hour sessions.
We offer our 3 hour course at Trinity Market on the first Saturday of every month for just £40, find out more here.
Want one for your schools, employees or social group? Contact [email protected] for a chat!
Community Hubs
Our mechanics are training volunteers around the Hull and East Yorkshire area to create sustainable cycle repair hubs in different pockets of communities. The volunteers will fix, service and maintain bikes, and share their knowledge by conducting cycle maintenance courses to upskill others in their area. The aim is to create independent, confident bike communities who are able to travel actively and safely.
Bike Libraries
We have implemented bike libraries all across the Humber region. Stocked by you, refurbished by our mechanics and trainees – these libraries offer the opportunity to borrow a bike – for free.
Our libraries are carefully placed to ensure they’re accessible to those that need them most, so you’ll find them in schools, organisations and public spaces. And because we want to make sure everyone’s safe – we provide brand new helmets and even service and maintain them throughout the loan!
Want to fund a Bike Library in your area? Email [email protected] for a chat!
The Training Programme
The idea that kick-started a million more. Our aims as a charity are always underpinned by a love of learning, and The Bike Project training programme is about just that. Based in our Cottingham workshop, it provides training and work opportunities to those that are struggling to get back into work. They work towards a City and Guilds Level 1 or 2 Cycle Mechanic qualification, and are continually supported with Life Coaching, peer mentoring, soft skills development, and the fail-safe warmth of a good cuppa.
We also know the benefit that comes from community – and we want our Trainees to feel it too - so we make sure each and every one of the bikes that they refurbish goes on improve the lives of those around us. Whether they go on to make up stock for our Bike Libraries, or are sold on to the public at affordable, accessible prices – our Trainees refurbish over 1,500 bikes a year – and they see the benefit of every one.
All Ride Bridlington
We’re keen to ensure that everyone gets the chance to ride a bike – and that includes those that might need a little more than the standard two wheels, a seat and some handlebars. We are working in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council to bring the All Ride adapted bike fleet to Bridlington North Promenade, with 18 specialised bikes for people with mobility issues and disabilities across the area – so everyone gets the chance to ride along the mostly flat, coastal path.
Dr Bike
You may have seen our mechanics under a purple gazebo in your area. Occasionally we get funding by local authorities, funders or partners to do a Dr Bike session. This is a service which provides free cycle servicing and minor repairs to cyclists (includes puncture repairs, gear and brake cabling, or just an all-round service). This can be at a school, organisation, or a public space. If you see us, swing by for a chat and we may be able to help get your bike up and running!
Want to fund one in your area? Contact [email protected] for a chat!
Cycle Academy
We are well aware that the world is a changing place, which means life for our younger generations is different than it was for us. We also know, however, that there are certain skills and experiences that transcend both time and generation. Riding a bike has brought joy, skill, and confidence to countless generations of people, and whilst we may not still completely understand our smartphones, bikes happen to be our area of expertise.
We wanted to share our knowledge with the next generation of talented riders - which is why we launched the Cycle Academy. From group rides, route planning and cycle maintenance, to risk assessments and nutrition, our young riders learn it all!
Prison Workshops
We thought that the ideas and concepts behind The Bike Project would be of benefit to offenders, providing them with practical, employable skills for when they’re released - and meaningful work for the time until then. The two Prison Workshops act as a first port of call for any donated bikes. Here, they are cleaned, inspected, and subject to any first initial fixes; providing work for 15 men.
Donate A Bike We’re so glad that you want to help us.
One of the best and easiest things you can do is donate any of your unwanted, unloved or unused bikes. We use donated bikes as a part of our training programme. Once they have been refurbished, they go on to stock our bike libraries, or sold to the public at reasonable prices.
If you’re able to, you can drop off any bike donations at our Bike Centre in Cottingham, or we can even collect! Just ring our office on 01482 844422 to arrange. Alternatively, we have drop-off stations placed in Beverley, Driffield, Normanby Hall, Hull City Centre, Scunthorpe and Bridlington.