Recycling for Charity: old bicycles
This page lists charities and other organisations collecting old bikes, bicycle-related tools and whatnot.
If any details are incorrect or you know of any other groups collecting them, please leave a comment below and I’ll update the listings.
- For ways to reuse the wheels instead, check out our post: “how can I reuse or recycle a crooked bike wheel?“
- For ways to reuse old inner tubes, check out our post: how can I reuse or recycle bike inner tubes?
| Who wants it | Why | Country | Contact details |
| Re-cycle |
The charity refurbishes and repairs bicycles and sends them out to impoverished communities in Africa to allow people greater access to work and education in their areas. The bikes are also used by AIDS/health workers to get out to remote villages. |
UK |
There are depots in London, Colchester and Newcastle Bikes of all types can be donated- even broken ones (but not ones that are completely rusted up) – but preferably adult ones that don’t need a complete overhaul. |
| Gremlin’s Cycle Library and Workshop |
They take in donations of old bikes and refurbish or recycle them to help provide safe, inexpensive bikes for the community. Some of the bikes go into their bike library to be loaned out to individuals and community groups. | UK – Oldham |
Gremlin’s Cycle Library and Workshop, Email: gremlincyclelibrary ( a ) hotmail.com |
| Community Can Cycle |
Based in Castlemilk, Glasgow, the charity repairs local children’s bikes for free and refurbished unwanted bikes for (very cheap) sale to low-income families in the deprived area. |
UK – Glasgow |
Community Can Cycle |
- Find out how to recycle other things for charity with the Recycle This Recycling for Charity Directory
Dear Sir,
Our bike recycling project Known as Killie Can Cycle is a small
offshoot of the Castlemilk Project in Glasgow which has now folded.
We are based in Ayrshire and sell recycled bikes to less well off kids
from between five and thirty pounds.We are a registered charity and
are purely voluntary.We welcome anyone who wishes to donate bikes
for recycling and can drop them at our project in the Shortlees area of
Kilmarnock.For more info please contact myself Gordon Neil 01560
480685.
Gordon
I wonder if you can help. My brother is a 58 year old man who has a hip problem and cannot walk any distance. He get around on his bicycle and loves this ‘iron horse’ as it allows him to get out of the house and exercise. His bicycle was stolen this morning from outside Murray’s shop in Main Street, Kilmarnock and the police have been no assistance at all. Would you have any bike at a very reasonable cost which he could look at. If so please contact me.
Many thanks
Margaret Cantell
Hi Margaret,
sorry to hear about your husbands bike.
Im sure our supervisor John would be able to help your husband out
with another Iron Horse.
Please visit our workshop between 9 and 2pm at the former scout hall
lainshaw park shortlees kilmarnock
I have an old 24.inch wheel mountain bike, it’s got new tyres and works but needs serviced. Free to you if you want it.
Rab.
I have two adult bikes (mountain style many gears) and one kids bike ( for about 10 year old) for anyone who has a need and can collect. Bit of a mess all needs TLC and proabbly new inner tubes. Surrey
alan.coates10@ntlworld.com
I have 2 Riley touring bikes, 1 gents and 1 lady’s, both in fair condition needing little attention. I would like them to go to a third world country. In my county, Hampshire there doesn’t appear to be any charity or collection point. Can you help?
Hi – are there any recycle facilities in N Ireland (Belfast area) for bikes for charity? I have three boys bikes (age range 7-15) I would like to donate, if they could be collected.
please i am looking for all types of bicycles to send to my native village in ghana africa for the less previledges an orphan.main aim is to bring a smiling face to the childrens and adults who living with diverse illness , to the poor farmers who just cant afford a means of transport to their farms .i look forward hearing from your honourable office .
regards ,daniel .
Hi, I have 2 or 3 bikes in decent working order and some parts that I want to donate to the work in Africa but I live in Bradford and all the charities seem to be in or around London. Any ideas?
I have various bikes and spares I would like to donate to a charity.
I liv in Doncastewr
I have several cycles and cycle parts available to donate to a charity.
Can anyone inform me of such around S. Yorks
i have 2 bikes for girls aged 9-12yrs. they need tyres pumped and attention to brakes. does any want them? no charge but need to collect. sue.plested@ukonline.co.uk
have 9 black bags off emty cans for you or any one out there to be recycling have phoned your number lots of times but no one will answer on 01560 480685
Hi
We recycle and repair old bikes in Hampshire and resell cheaply
Please checkout our website
Keep recycling
Guy
Please keithburrell@yahoo.co.uk is looking for a Bike for is teenage son to cicycle to school, please reply if you can help, it would be nice if you are in the Bourough of Kingston upon Thames Surrey.
Thanks Keith
Hi, I am looking for any old, mountain Bikes (adult ones) with the intention of restoring them as part of a Hospital project for inpatients. (I am an Activity Co-ordinator for the hospital in question. We treat patients with various Psychiatric health problems) We do not have sufficiant funds to Purchase any bikes so our plan is to restore some old ones and hopefully use them for a cycling group. The condition of the bikes is not important. So if you want to get rid of any old bikes rusting away in your garage or shed we’d love to take them off your hands! Or if anyone knows of any charities I could contact that would be great! We are based in Wakefield West Yorkshire. Thank you.
I have an old adult mountain bike which has newish tyres and shimano 15 spd gears – I would be happy to donate it but I cant get to Wakefield as I live in North Leeds
I will be away from 18th – 25th July – if this is something you want pls let me know.
I have several bikes in working order I would like to donate to any charity in North Derbyshire, South Yorkshire or further afield if they can be collected
ruth@trialstalk.co.uk
Hi Ruth,
My name is kaz, I posted a message on ‘recyclethis.co.uk’ asking if anyone had any bicycles for donations for a hospital project. I have been trying to source some bikes for our project for a few months now but have been unsucessful. I was delighted and excited to read your post about the bikes you have and would love to take them off your hands! Here is a copy of my origional post from the website:
Hi, I am looking for any old, mountain Bikes (adult ones) with the intention of restoring them as part of a Hospital project for inpatients. (I am an Activity Co-ordinator for the hospital in question. We are a part of the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Tust. We treat patients with various Psychiatric health problems) We do not have sufficiant funds to Purchase any bikes so our plan is to restore some old ones and hopefully use them for a cycling group. The condition of the bikes is not important. So if you want to get rid of any old bikes rusting away in your garage or shed we’d love to take them off your hands! Or if anyone knows of any charities I could contact that would be great! We are based in Wakefield West Yorkshire. Thank you.
I have spoked to my Ward manager who has told me that arrangements could be made to collect the bikes with our Trust vehicle. It would be great if you would consider donating them to us for our project and look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Kaz
Hello Kaz, I have one bike, not a mountain bike but it is suitable for an adult male. I live in the Denby Dale area approximately 9 miles from Wakefield. Please email me if this sounds suitable for your project.
Kind regards
Ann
Hi due to redundancy i filled my time overhauling old bikes ,i am a mechanic.
I no have 6 adult mountain bikes , 2 boys / girls bikes and a childa bike .
They are free to anyone who wants them
Hi John
I am looking for a bike to get gradual exercise due to putting on weight after quitting smoking. Where are you situated and can you deliver?
hi,
i ve read your mail about bikes Do you still have any of the adults ones??
Hi, I am looking for any old, mountain Bikes (adult ones) with the intention of restoring them as part of a Hospital project for inpatients. (I am an Activity Co-ordinator for the hospital in question. We treat patients with various Psychiatric health problems) We do not have sufficiant funds to Purchase any bikes so our plan is to restore some old ones and hopefully use them for a cycling group. The condition of the bikes is not important. So if you want to get rid of any old bikes rusting away in your garage or shed we’d love to take them off your hands! Or if anyone knows of any charities I could contact that would be great! We are based in Wakefield West Yorkshire. Thank you.
We have an adult hybrid bike if it is any use to you?
We live in Penistone, Sheffield
cheers.
Hi,I am looking for small quantities of black rod braked pre 1950 bicycles,ladies and gents,I to refurbish for a living history museum.will donate surplus,to a charity.prefer midlands area only due to collection.01743 718939.shropshire.
i am refurbishing a1954 raleigh and im struggling to get a rear wheel, rod brake type if you get one spare could you let me know.iam in the black country
hi there I am looking for a BMX for my 10yr old son ..do you have any???
Hi, I’ve got a racing bike that needs a bit of restoration (gears and chain rusty, new innertubes needed). I’m based in Ilkley but travel around Yorkshire with my job and can deliver bike if anybody is interested call m on 07870 892768.
Hello,
I work on an estate where a large number of bikes have been left over the years. We need to dispose of these (approx. 50 – 60) and are offering these to anyone who would like to take them. We cannot deliver so they will need to be collected. They are all in good condition other than few burst tyres and knackered saddles.
They will be available from 01st May.
I’m from County Limerick, Ireland and I work for a company similar to KCC at this moment, we have a cluster of refurbished bikes including an electric one that might come in handy for your organization.
Telephone 00353 1 2010708 if needed
I live in South and South Florida, USA, and have two, badly neglected and early 80s bikes. I want to donate them to a organization just like this one (that rebuilds bikes, teaches the new owners how to take care of the bikes and the new owners cannot afford a bike) and of course, have the backup Goodwill option (what I usually donate everything to); however, I do not have any extra money to ship it to UK or any other state, really. So, is there any other organization, just like this one, that exists in South Florida (Homestead, Kendall or Miami)??
Hi. I have an old mountain bike if anyone wants it. It’s a men’s large frame with push-button gear selectors. Wheels need to be repaired/replaced, but otherwise in working order. To be collected from Nottingham. Pls email richierico.t@googlemail.com if interested.
Hello
I work on behalf of a charity organisation called The Bike Station who are based in Scotland across three different cities- Edinburgh, Perth and Glasgow. All three branches specialise in repairing and recycling old bicycles and bike parts in order to sell them on as second-hand bikes. The Bike Station was set up to help promote the use of bikes as an alternative, fun and environmentally friendly method of transport for people living and working in the city of Edinburgh and beyond. In order to try and promote biking as greener method of transportation The Bike Station strives towards adhering to their mission statement which is:
‘To repair unwanted bikes and put them back on the road [by providing]: cycling training, bike maintenance training and refurbishing bikes [in order] to promote cycling as a healthy and sustainable means of transport across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Perth and Kinross as well as beyond’ (Bike Station website: http://www.thebikestation.org.uk/).
If you would like any more information please feel free to get in touch us because the Bike Station is very keen to get involved with online communities which positively promote recycling and biking in general.
All the best
Hi there
I would like to buy a women’s bike for my daughter
Do you have anything that would be suitable ?
Thanks
Hi,
Is there anywhere I can recycle a children’s bike in Leicester ?
Hi everyone, I see a lot of you are looking for somewhere to donate your unwanted/unused bike.
Re~Cycle have just set up a page where you can punch in your town or Post Code and it will show you a map of centres accepting bike donations within a radius of your home.
http://www.re-cycle.org/Donate/Bike/Search
I hope you all find this helpful.
Also, if you’re part of an organisation that wishes to be added to the map or our website listings, please get in touch via the contact form on the site.
Cheers,
Mike @ Re~Cycle
Mike @ Re~Cycle,
Did me no good; because no locations near enough. Same problem that existed before you did what you did. Such, groups like yours needs to make the process so inexpensive that it can be done from any where.
We’d love to have a drop off point on every corner, as would most other charities like us I imagine, but sadly we’re run on a shoe string by volunteers and simply do not have the resources to do so.
However, in the past some people have organised “bike drives” near them, and we or similar organisations have come and collected all the bikes. Have a look for something like this near you, or maybe even start one of your own!
Dear folks
just a note to say our Killie can cycle phone number is
now 01563 258332 for anyone wishing to donate bikes and goods.
Our workshop address is 47 Lainshaw ave,Shortlees, Kilmarnock and
are open ten till four over the summer.
We are hoping to open a cycle charity shop soon which will collect
most goods from fridges freezers,cookers, alluminium cans and sell everything from recycled bikes and parts to clothes brica brac and
furniture.
Anyone wishing to donate should phone the above number.
Just to add to my last message that we are working with a group in Newmilns Ayshire who are sending any surplus equipment to
Rumania ie tools.bikes,IT equipment and so on if anyone wishes to
bring them to our project or we can pass on the details of the group
in question.
Again our office number is 01563 258332,unfortunately as our vehicles
are extremely busy over the summer we would ask people to bring
any goods to 47 Lainshaw ave Shortlees Kilmarnock ka14ry,
Thanks Gordon Neil
Hi Everyone
This is a huge long shot. Avid cyclist but disabled due to a misdiagnosis. Really hoping that someone may be wanting to recycle an adult recumbent bike or trike or knows how to make a recumbent bike or trike by recycling bits from several bicycles. If there is anyone out there that could help me to become mobile again by cycling it would be the most amazing miracle! The misdiagnosis has had a HUGE impact not only on my life but on the lives of my three wonderful kids and my husband. Rather desperate to adapt to life post operations. Will be permanently disabled and live with terrible pain but want to make the best of life! Need to get back into moving about and cycling with any kind of recumbent bike. Long shot but if anyone out there wants to recycle a recumbent or knows how to make a low position recumbent from several broken bikes I’d be ever so grateful for my family and myself if you could please get in touch. It would literally be life changing! Thanks so much for your time.
Hi I had some questions about starting a charity drive for used bikes. I wanted to talk to someone who would help me in getting started. Please let me know by email and I can exchange phone numbers or something to get ideas. Thank you very much. I can tell who ever gets in touch with me what the drive is for. I appreciate any help!
Hi Sherry and all of you
I set up Re~Cycle
We have a map of UK bike re-use projects so you can find your nearest project – http://www.re-cycle.org/Donate/Bike/Search
We have a How To guide, for setting up and running a bike re-use project – this is work in progress and we welcome your input
http://www.re-cycle.org/How_To/
Cheers
Merlin – info [} re-cycle.org
Hi All
We take in donated bikes and re-cycle them to sell back into the community at a reduced cost. Check out our website to find out what else we do!
Sherry (or anyone else) ring the shop and we’ll be happy to talk to you!
Thanks
Since, never having my question answered, I found a even better way to recycle the old bicycles I had.
My friend is my bicycle mechanic (30-years of custom building and repairing bicycles for professional racers and the public) and he is his own boss, he charges what people can afford, even though he could lose his home any day, I donated them to him. In exchange he rebuilt my entire back wheel, for FREE; he knows I have no job and little money working as a pet sitter and house sitter and poll worker. Plus, he has tried to solve the same problem with the back wheel for a year; turns out the hub was damaged (who knew) when couple in a van ran over and back (real fast) my back wheel, a year ago.
His name is Jeff Fitzgibbons, lives in Cutler bay, you can find his home telephone number in The YP.
Dear Sir / Mam,
Hello i am an Asalum seeker from Pakistan. I am 37 yers old man. While surfing net the idea came to my mind to request a free bicycle if you can arrange. As i am having my physiacitry medicines i am gaing wait. So my Gp suggested if i can start Bicycle riding . So could you please arrange free of cost Bicyle for me so i can reduce my weight. I live in Glasgow. I got a desire that if i can get bicycle so it would be a nice way to reduce my weight and to keep my self fit and well.
Sincerely yours,
Shahzad Almas Khan.