Giving Unwanted Cycles a Second Life: Our Cycle Recycling Partnership

This post was originally published in 2021. It shares a partnership focused on recycling and reusing unwanted cycles. The programme is now no longer active, but we are keeping this page as an archive.

A partnership to give bikes a second life

In 2021, Get Cycling CIC worked with Yorwaste on a recycling initiative called GET reCYCLING.

The aim of the project was simple. It encouraged people to donate unwanted cycles instead of sending them to waste.

As a result, many donated bikes were collected and passed on for reuse.

Refurbishing bikes for reuse

We received surplus donated cycles through the scheme. Our workshop then refurbished them for resale.

This meant more bikes were saved from disposal. Instead, they were repaired, restored, and made available for new riders.

These refurbished bikes sat alongside:

• New cycles
• Specialist adapted cycles
• Inclusive cycling options

Together, this helped widen access to cycling at different price points.

Encouraging reuse across North Yorkshire

Yorwaste, a waste management company in North Yorkshire, led the recycling campaign.

Importantly, they encouraged people to think differently about old bikes. Rather than disposing of them, they promoted donation and reuse.

This supported a more sustainable approach to cycling and waste reduction.

Our role in the project

At the time, our CEO Joanne Mahon said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Yorwaste to ensure many of the region’s bikes are repurposed.”

The partnership helped connect recycling with practical community benefit. It also supported access to more affordable cycling options.

Looking back

Although the GET reCYCLING programme is no longer running, the principle remains important.

We continue to support:

Sustainable approaches to cycle repair and resale

Bike refurbishment and reuse

Affordable access to cycling