Bikeworks is a resourceful bicycle shop based in Tower Hamlets East London that has been trading since 2007. Their aim is to use bicycles to tackle "environmental, social & economic challenges in London." One of the reasons I particularly like Bikeworks is their bicycle recycling scheme where they accept old bicycles for recycling, repair them using as few new parts as possible and sell them at prices at low as £40. Producing good quality bicycles at such low prices gives access to everyone to be able to cycle in London, where transport is so expensive and levels of congestion are so high.
They are more than just a recycled bicycle shop however. Bike Works operates as a Social Enterprise and is legally recognised as a Community Interest Company and a not for profit Company Limited by Guarantee. Their website describes, "Bikeworks CIC is a social enterprise based in East London and began actively trading in March 2007. Bikeworks uses bikes to tackle environmental, social & economic challenges in London. Bikeworks creates local solutions to global issues through the promotion of sustainable urban transport through cycling. Bikeworks geographical focus is on areas of social deprivation in east London.
Creation of employment and training opportunities for marginalised individuals is integrated into the heart of the enterprise.
Specific activities include: recycling & refurbishing second hand bikes in London, provide dedicated (free to the public) training to get more people cycling on the road and doing so safely & affordably, creating training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged communities in a booming cycling industry."
This is such a simple but effective scheme that I feel would have a purpose in many other countries. Not only do they cater for current cyclists but also potential cyclists by offering a wide range of low cost bicycles. In inner cities this is something that I could really see taking off around the world. More people on bicycles would of course need to be catered for by governments but it would really cut down on emissions in the cities and help to keep people active. They also do particularly good work in enabling disabled to people to be able to have specialist bicycles catering for their needs and helping them with their cycling skills.
Bikeworks endorse this idea with their recycling scheme adding, "We recycle & refurbish used and abandoned bikes so that they can be re used or when this isn't possible materials (steel, aluminium) are put into the recycling system. Refurbished bikes are used in Bikeworks community programmes, given away to community groups & some sold on at affordable prices to the community. Regular Saturday sales of recycled bikes to the public will be starting from April 2008. Contact us for details.
Our environmental policy means that we aim to buy in very few spares, and the ones that we do buy are ones that we are unable to source from recycled spares, items such as brake blocks and ball bearings, if replaced will be new, otherwise all of the spares and bicycles that we use are refurbished." While this is a non profit scheme I think it could save money and bring positive change for many countries where there is a demand for cycling and the community work that is done by organisations like Bikeworks is something that more local councils should look at allocating funding to.
A video illustrating the different kinds of community work Bikeworks do
A BBC article and video on Bikeworks work with disabled people in the local community: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/03/21/bikeworks_video_feature.shtml
http://www.bikeworks.org.uk/
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