This is Rawand and Elisse, Bike Buddies in Coventry. As soon as they met they hit it off and since have created a lovely friendship, going on bike rides and visiting art galleries. Bike Buddies is our bike befriending programme where we match refugees and asylum seekers with a local cyclist with the aim of improving cycling confidence and building community. We have matched 229 refugees since 2013 with a Bike Buddy and are so happy to see the connections formed.
Hear from Rawand and Elisse about their Bike Buddy experience:
Rawand: My name is Rawand Gurun, I am 25 years old. From the region by the name of Kurdistan which is located in the North of Iraq. I have been here in the UK for nearly 1 year and 11 months. I got my bike in November last year which became a friend for me to make my activities much easier. My life changed through having a bike as I could do more activities and also visit different places which are a little bit difficult to walk.
I remember that she gave me a Christmas card for that first meeting. She has a wonderful personality, kind with a lovely smile always. She knew Coventry better than me so I visited different places with her. My favourite thing about Bike Buddy is you feel that you have friends through sports. Also, they are someone that encourages you to cycle more and supports you with that, teaching you some life skills. The Bike Project is doing a great thing for refugees. I used to ride my bike back home. When The Bike Project gave me the bike it gave me happiness thinking of my memories of back home. In my opinion people must support The Bike Project because they provide good bikes full of love to the refugees that came from different countries, welcoming them.
Elisse: I heard about The Bike Project from a friend and it really appealed to me, it is such a great idea. I joined Bike Buddies in autumn 2021 and was “paired up” with Rawand in December and we met for a ride shortly after. Our first ride was along Coventry Canal. I found Rawand very easy to talk to and instantly felt at ease with him.
Since our first meeting, we have met several times for rides exploring the local countryside. Rawand is interested in art so we have visited several exhibitions and galleries. I have introduced Rawand to some friends who are artists, one of whom painted a portrait of him. Rawand was very excited! Rawand has had some of his own art work on display at the Herbert Art Gallery. It was a delight to see his work.
My favourite thing about Bike Buddies is sharing my love of cycling and the local area with another person. Rawand is a lovely kind young man and it is an absolute pleasure to spend time with him introducing him to people and places. I think Bike Buddies is important as it helps refugees find their feet, giving them a degree of independence. It would be great if more people were to become involved with The Bike Project. I believe you get more out of it, than you put in. It is a privilege to share your knowledge with someone who is eager to learn.
Interested in becoming a Bike Buddy volunteer? Sign up here.
Received a bike from us and looking for a Bike Buddy? Find more information here.