Earn-A-Bike
Three hour long, one-to-one workshop sessions working with marginalised people from within our community who need affordable and sustainable transport. Individuals work with one of the project’s mechanics to overhaul and refurbish a donated bike (that has already been prepped to a certain level), learning basic mechanical skills in the process. This scheme emphasises empowerment and self-reliance rather than charity, and involves practical, hands-on engagement that functions as a bonding process between owner and bicycle. Since 2009, over 800 bikes have been earned from the project in this way. Those who earn their bike from us can keep it running smoothly by dropping in at our weekly Fix-a-Bike sessions.
We work in cooperation with over 50 organisations in and around Bristol, including Bristol Refugee Rights, Bristol Drugs Project, Second Step, The Big Issue & various youth groups amongst many others. Watch our film to get a more in-depth picture.
Criteria
The EAB scheme is available to those who are unemployed and are at least one of the following:
Asylum Seekers or Refugees
Persons with ongoing debilitating health problems
Persons with learning difficulties
In sheltered housing
Undergoing a substance abuse recovery programme
On probation
When?
We run Earn-a-Bike workshops for six people on Thursdays – three appointments at 10.30am and a further two at 2pm. Your client will be expected to spend approximately three to four hours with us working on their bike, so please make sure that they have this amount of free time before arranging an appointment with us and that they are prepared to get their hands dirty! We do have work aprons and latex gloves and plenty of tea and coffee!
Arranging a Workshop
To book a workshop for yourself or a client, please complete the contact form below.
Locks & Lights
Every bike needs to leave our workshop with a good quality D-lock and set of lights. We require that your client or the organisation that has referred them, is able to cover the costs of this, which is currently £15.
Repairs
We appreciate that many people do not have access to their own tools and repairs to bicycles can be expensive. We therefore welcome people back to the workshop to service or fix their bikes, whether it be pumping up their tyres or replacing a broken part. Those who earn their bike from us can keep it runing smoothly by dropping in at our weekly Fix-a-Bike sessions. We do not currently carry out repairs on bicycles earned through this scheme on any other days.
Not associated with any particular organisation but think you are eligible?
Wherever possible, we try and work with people who have been referred to us directly by an organisation or group that can vouch for that person’s status and requirement for a bike. However, we are also prepared to work with people who have not been referred by an organisation and will approach these on a case by case basis. Do feel free to pop by and talk to us if in doubt.
