Abandoned bikes at rail stations finding new homes

An organisation that works to promote cycling for young people and their families has taken another delivery of bikes that were abandoned at railway stations. 

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has now donated more than 1,000 bikes to six charity recycling schemes in the past two years and Community Cycleworks in Albany Road, Burgess Park, has been one of the grateful beneficiaries. 

Community Cycleworks is a not-for-profit concern that was set up in 2012. It promotes cycling to improve health and well-being and reduce air pollution. 

GTR have been making donations since the Covid pandemic prevented the auction sales of the bikes.  

The company also worked with local authorities and NHS Trusts to donate bikes to NHS workers during lockdown. 

GTR has delivered 85 bikes to Community Cycleworks since April 2021. Working with Southwark schools and youth clubs, the charity runs Build a Bike courses in which children learn to refurbish a donated bike over a four-lesson programme. The participants then get to keep the bike they fixed. 

Cycleworks also helps children to build cycling skills, which along with their new maintenance and repair skills make them more confident and safer cyclists. 

Chris Fowler, customer services director for GTR, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Community Cycleworks and our other partners to promote healthy, green transport by extending the life of previously unwanted bikes.  

“Cycleworks are making these bikes roadworthy and safe for young, deserving new owners, at the same time giving them the skills to make the best long-term use of them.” 

Stewart Vanns, founder and director of Community Cycleworks, said: “We are grateful to GTR. Before our partnership, our flow of donations was ‘patchy’.  

“These bikes go to local people, families, or children, who may otherwise struggle to afford a bike. Once riding, people then have access to our support services and drop-in Bike Fix to help them maintain and repair their bikes in the future.” 

Pictured top (left to right): Hayley Whitehorn, Community Cycleworks Workshop Manager; Kevin Bell, GTR Facilities team; Johnny Marcher, Community Cycleworks volunteer (Picture: GTR)