Bicycle Recycling Project

[yuggyp]

Hi

I run a bicycle recycling project in and around Winchester

We are doing quite well and have been running for about a year

It would be really nice if we could find some like minded people who would like to become involved with the project, we don't just need mechanically minded people, if you have a passion for bicycles and want to help more people cycle and have some spare time then we'd love to hear from you

We don't have huge expectations but we would like to become more active in the local area and be able to help more people

If you'd like more information or think you might like to become involved please let us know

Many thanks for your time

Guy

 

[Dave Davenport]

I could be interested in helping out. I'm fairly close to Winchester, am reasonably handy with a spanner and could spare a few hours per week. I also know a couple more people who might be willing to get involved.

Can you give some more details about your organisation i.e what's it called, do you have an HQ/workshop, are you part of a larger charity, assume you supply free/cheap bikes to people who have a need?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[PpPete]

I could be interested in helping out. I'm fairly close to Winchester, am reasonably handy with a spanner and could spare a few hours per week. I also know a couple more people who might be willing to get involved.

Can you give some more details about your organisation i.e what's it called, do you have an HQ/workshop, are you part of a larger charity, assume you supply free/cheap bikes to people who have a need?

Thanks,
Dave

Ditto

 

[Dave Davenport]

OT; Did I pass you on the road between West and East Meon yesterday morning Pete?

 

[PpPete]

Yes.
Later wished I'd headed West instead of East. Took a good bit longer to get home !

 

[Dave Davenport]

Thought it was you, it was a tad breezy.

 

[yuggyp]

Hi Dave

Thats very kind of you...

We don't have a workshop yet, its on our list of very needed wants... Space it at a premium, I have a shed at my Mums and I borrow a garage, we constantly get offerd bikes but we have to turn them down because of lack of space, we have contacted the council to see if they'd work with us but so far no joy...

Here is our website: www.bicyclerecycling.co.uk

Have a look and see if you have any more questions

Many thanks again

Guy

 

[Arch]

Gosh. I just looked at your bikes for sale, and there was an Apollo Javelin. I had the ladies frame version, it was the bike I brought to Uni as a mature student, and my new best friend did it up (it needed some tweaks to make it right for me), and on it I discovered what fun cycling could be.

I've since owned/still own a Dawes Galaxy, a Giant FCR, two recumbent trikes and a Brompton, but I still have a soft spot for that Javelin. It was stolen.

Good luck with the project! (I'm nowhere near, but my sister lives down there).

Here in York we have Bike Rescue:

http://www.bikerescueproject.org.uk/

who have gone from strength to strength, and now struggle just to collect the bikes they are offered, I gather. Keep chipping away at the council, because they could be a very useful partner - both in terms of finding space, and supplying bikes from the tip etc. Big up the waste reduction issue. Councils have to pay taxes on landfill waste. Every bike you save, saves them tax (and eventually, residents council tax).

Bike Rescue also turn out at sustainability events, recycling bike parts into jewellery and so on, or running 'decorate your bike' sessions. And I know that some of their volunteers started out as relatively clueless with spanners - but given the right tools, and a bike to dismantle, and some guidance, they can learn very fast. There's no better way to work out how a bike works, than to take it apart.

I know Winchester is a much hillier city than York, but the two are very similar in size - IE small, and therefore potentially ideal for cycling!

 

[Hilldodger]

You need to charge more for the bikes, especially if you want to run a sustainable business.

 

[Zoiders]

Charge more for some bikes like Hill dodger said.

Most of your repair price list looks OK but I would question what you charge for repairing a puncture on a chain cased bike (£28!)

Going toe to toe with LBS's you wont win if your repair prices are the same as you don't quite have the same market or the established customer base yet - go a bit lower than them, your labour is mostly free after all so anything above the retail price of the parts is pure profit.

I know a chain cased bike looks like a faff but if you know what you are doing with the case and the hub gear then's it's actually a quick win and not two hours labour - just watch for stuff like that as you don't want to compare badly with a shop that can undercut you on a job.

 

[Bobtoo]

My bike came from a similar project, though it passed through another owner before I bought it. It might be worth contacting them for advice on funding, logistics etc.

http://www.fifebikeworks.org.uk/

 

[funnymummy]

We have a scheme here - Lancing Community Bike Project, our local council has been brilliant & provided us with workshop space & a couple fo local compnaies have donated tools, free skips, bikes.
It is a fantastic venture & one I am proud to be involved with. We don't charge for bikes, everyhting is free as long as you are willing to donate some time/effort & help
Good luck with your scheme x

 

[stevetailor125]

Hope all goes well for you, I run a similar scheme in NW Leicestershire

 

[Dave Davenport]

Charge more for some bikes like Hill dodger said.

Most of your repair price list looks OK but I would question what you charge for repairing a puncture on a chain cased bike (£28!)

Going toe to toe with LBS's you wont win if your repair prices are the same as you don't quite have the same market or the established customer base yet - go a bit lower than them, your labour is mostly free after all so anything above the retail price of the parts is pure profit.

I know a chain cased bike looks like a faff but if you know what you are doing with the case and the hub gear then's it's actually a quick win and not two hours labour - just watch for stuff like that as you don't want to compare badly with a shop that can undercut you on a job.

I must be missing something, can't see a repair price list on the site.

 

[Dave Davenport]

Hi Dave

Thats very kind of you...

We don't have a workshop yet, its on our list of very needed wants... Space it at a premium, I have a shed at my Mums and I borrow a garage, we constantly get offerd bikes but we have to turn them down because of lack of space, we have contacted the council to see if they'd work with us but so far no joy...

Here is our website: www.bicyclerecycling.co.uk

Have a look and see if you have any more questions

Many thanks again

Guy

Hi Guy,

Thought I'd keep this on the open forum so others who may be interested see it too;

You're an independent, not for profit organisation, correct?

How many people are currently involved?

Do you sell bikes to anyone or descriminate on need and means i.e someone who wants a bike for leisure use, has plenty of cash but doesn't want to spend much on a bike v someone from a low income family who needs cheap transport to get to college.

I'd be available during the week daytime, would that work with your current set up?

Cheers,
Dave