Cycle recycling project!

Sam Alford and Sam White, both from Exmouth, are starting a bike recycling project at Bicton EaRTH in East Devon. It is one of few such projects based in the heart of a rural community where there is a need for low-cost, independent transport – especially for young people.

After working for various charities and youth projects they are now establishing EaRTH Cycles and want the public to donate their old bikes, rather than throwing them away.

“We’ve secured support for the project from Devon County Council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund, Making it Local and Awards For All,” says Sam White, “which is enabling us to fit out a new workshop on Bicton College premises next door to their EaRTH centre - and it just made sense to call our own business EaRTH Cycles.”

EaRTH Cycles is a project that aims to divert waste from landfill, and make cycling more accessible. Donated bikes will be fixed under the guidance of a host of mechanics, including students at the College and local volunteers. Teaching bike maintenance is part of the scheme and after passing safety checks, the bikes will then be made available to the public at affordable prices.

Sam adds, “Bike recycling schemes across the UK have helped to make quality refurbished cycles more affordable. The scheme will also help people to upskill, and we intend on working closely with students at Bicton College so that they get first-hand experience maintaining and repairing bikes to further enrich their studies.”

EaRTH Cycles will be up and running early in the New Year, and an appeal is being launched now for used cycles to refurbish. “If anyone has a bike they no longer want,” says Sam, “then please consider donating it to www.earthtrails.org and help support our efforts to promote cycling and skills’ sharing in East Devon.”