Bicycles for Humanity
You may have taken interest in the recent story we shared in our Enews about abandoned bicycles being given new purpose around the world for people in need of transport. Well, our wonderful WA-based HA member, Tanya Marwood kindly brought to our attention the fabulous work of the Australian based chapters of Bicycles for Humanity!
According to Bicycles for Humanity, the “model is simple. Chapters provide bike recycling services to their communities and surrounding areas in developed countries. They give these bikes a second life helping others either within their local communities and in developing countries.”
We know that humanists value environmental sustainability and contributing where we can to minimising waste that impacts the planet. We also know humanists are very keen to support and resource other humans in practical ways. So, perhaps it’s time to dig out and recycle that old bike rather than let it go to waste… and do some humanitarian good at the same time!
There are currently three official registered Bicycles for Humanity programs in Australia. More details can be found at their respective websites:
Melbourne https://b4hmelbourne.org.au/
Regional VIC https://b4hregvic.wordpress.com/
There are other bike recycling options available too!
Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You can help you discover some more options, such as:
Give Now, which lists some bicycle reuse groups and also has a page of contacts for charitable organisations that accept bicycles but don't necessarily repair them.
Bikes4Life collects & restores bicycles for donating to Australians who need them. They have branches in Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne.
Revolve ReCYCLING is a Sydney-based organisation that accepts unwanted bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, and other Personal Transport Vehicles (PTVs) for repair and recycling.
Brainwave Bikes is a second-hand bike store in Melbourne that repairs and refurbishes bikes. The organisation is a social enterprise that uses its profits to fund Brainwave Australia, a charity that supports childen with brain injury and illness and their families. Bike donations are accepted with various drop-off locations around Melbourne.
Looking for other ways to support environmental sustainability?
As individuals we can all play our part. There are many ways we can take action in our everyday lives to protect our planet. We encourage you to sign up to our 2023 Humanist environment challenge, coming soon!
