“Ciao a tutti! My name is Marta and I am the Retail Operations Manager at The Bike Project. I joined this wonderful family in 2018 when our team was still small, and I saw the charity growing and thriving over these past years!
Our mission is to get refugees cycling. I believe cycling should be accessible to all, but not everyone can buy a bike. At The Bike Project we fill this gap by making cycling accessible to the refugee communities. Moreover, the demographic of cycling is still predominantly represented by a white male constituency; to reduce the gender gap, we teach women refugees cycling skills and confidence on the road.
A bike can change a person’s life, quite literally. Cycling has huge benefits on our body and mind, as well as being a green and free alternative to public transports. This is especially important for refugees and asylum seekers who may face isolation and financial hardship.”
As Marta has explained a bike can do a lot to support asylum seekers and refugees but, of course, it can only go so far. We asked Marta how she would like asylum seekers and refugees to be supported in this country.
“The whole administrative process to claim asylum is extremely long and complex to navigate. On top of this, majority of asylum seekers don’t have the right to work. How can someone build a new life when facing such challenges? This shouldn’t be the case, and the asylum process should be simplified. Asylum seekers should be allowed to work!”
Yes, let’s #LiftTheBan together!
Marta has taken on many roles in The Bike Project, Pedal Power instructor, workshop assistant and now Retail Operations Manager. Some of Marta’s ‘stand-out’ moments at The Bike Project include:
“I have so many beautiful memories! From building my first bike from a frameset I was gifted by a colleague (thanks, Resom!), to qualifying as cycling instructor and then participating to Ride London in 2019 with a bunch of teammates and bike recipients. I will always remember these moments!
The Bike Project is a supportive and inclusive workplace, and I am lucky to work with people from all over the world and from different walks of life. This adds incredible value to my work and helps me growing every day.
The Bike Project is a fun work environment. What surprised me most is how we remained united and supported each other during the most challenging circumstances. The past couple of years have been wild, and I am so grateful that we always cared for each other whilst continuing to fulfil our mission.”
Surprisingly Marta shared that her favourite cycling memory is her first fall!
“I had just learned to cycle and wanted to test how fast I could go. That didn’t last long: the first turn I found myself face down on the tarmac, my tiny bike metres away. I looked at my bruised body, picked up my bike and tried again. I was so proud of that spectacular fall!
I also have wonderful memories of my dad taking me on his bike when I was very little. He would put me on the front seat, and we would wander around the quiet streets of my hometown. The scent of jasmine flowers during spring evenings was so delicate!”
Quick fire round:
Nugget of knowledge: “Every £110 spent in our bike shop gives us the chance to donate 1 bike to a refugee. Isn’t that amazing?”
Favourite product in our shop: “Our Hiplock Original Superbright is a great option for locking your bike safely. It’s rated sold secure gold and has a reflective material. You can also wear it around your hips, like its name suggests, making you more visible at night and taking the weight off your shoulders if you usually carry your lock in your backpack!”
Accessory everyone needs to own: “A bright pair of lights is a great investment, best if they are USB chargeable. You want to be visible at night from a good distance!”
Top three tips for new cyclists:
- Enjoy the ride, be assertive, and be conscious of other road users.
- The road is a safe place to cycle and following the highway code is a must. Invest in cycling lessons if you don’t feel confident or start riding in a park and quiet roads first.
- There is so much more you can discover when you explore your city by bike!”
Great advice, thanks Marta!
