We take secondhand bikes, fix them up and donate them to refugees and people seeking asylum in London and Birmingham.
The UK is bursting with opportunities – but it’s also expensive. Especially when you’re trying to navigate the complex asylum process on just £49.18 a week, or even as little as £9.95 a week if living in catered accommodation. At The Bike Project, we believe that no-one should have to choose between eating a square meal and catching the bus. That’s why we give bikes to refugees and people seeking asylum.
The Bike Project has been supporting refugees since 2013
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Bikes donated
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Pedal Power lessons
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Bike Buddies connected
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£ saved on transport costs
Our impact
Having fled persecution and atrocity in their country of origin, most refugees arrive in the UK with absolutely nothing. A bike helps them access food banks, legal advice, healthcare, education and much more. If they’re lucky enough to receive official refugee status, a bike can help refugees find employment.
As one of our bike recipients puts it:
When you have to go from charity to charity to feed yourself, a bike becomes very important to your life.
Research has shown that cycling improves health, helps reduce levels of depression and stress, empowers refugees.
In fact, our own research shows The Bike Project:
Provides opportunities to bring people together from different backgrounds
Reduces prejudice and negative stereotyping and increases trust
Reduces social isolation, loneliness and increases social confidence
About the people we support
- 84% of refugees save on transport costs
- 91% of refugees use their bikes for essential journeys weekly.
- 84% feel part of a new cycling community, promoting social inclusion and community integration
- 91% of refugee cyclists feel more confident and independent
- 93% of the refugees we support experience improvements to their physical and mental health
- 31% of bike recipients are women
We also run Bike Buddies, a cycling befriending project, and Pedal Power, teaching refugee women to cycle.
Other statements
Read our ethical donations policy