Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
What kind of cycles do you collect?
We are pleased to receive any cycle that is in at least reasonable condition or better.
We ship to Africa all types of cycle, as long as they can be put into 'going condition', without needing hours and hours of work. It doesn’t make sense to devote a huge amount of time fixing just one cycle in poor condition when that time could be better spent fixing several others that require less-major work.
These types of cycle can be shipped:
- Mountain bikes and Mountain-bike hybrids - these are particularly suitable for unmade African roads;
- Full-suspension cycles and BMX bikes - if these are in at least reasonable condition, they are very suitable for use on rough roads in Africa; however; most that we receive tend to be in poor condition either through having been ridden into the ground or being neglected;
- City and commuter cycles (usually with 3-speed hubs, mudguards and often parcel carriers) - these are very practical cycles for use in Africa;
- Shopper bikes (with small wheels, typically with 3-speed hubs, mudguards and parcel carriers) - these are very easy to ride, even for inexperienced cyclists, and are very quickly adaptable for riders of different heights;
- Touring cycles - these are strong cycles that are very practical for use in Africa;
- Racing and road cycles (with very narrow tyres) - although these are not suitable for rural areas in Africa that have with rough, unmade roads, they can be sent to projects based in African towns that have more suitable road conditions.
Do you receive teenage and childrens' cycles?
Yes, providing they are in at least a reasonable condition, although our first priority is to send adult-sized cycles for people to use as a means of transport.
- 24”-wheel cycles are suitable for both shorter adults and teenage riders;
- 20”-wheel cycles can be used by children to get to school.
Both 20"-wheel and 24"-wheel cycles are also useful when loading containers with cycles for Africa, because we can use them to fill small spaces between full-size adult cycles.
Very small bikes (with 12”, 14” or 16”-wheels) are only of limited use and so must be in good condition and not require too much work; this is because a mechanic’s time is better spent repairing adult bikes. Again, although they are useful for filling small spaces, these are usually only wanted by our African partners in limited numbers.
My cycle is damaged and/or broken and/or has bits missing - is it still useful to you?
If it is reasonably clean and not rusted up, we can strip most cycles down for spare parts - these are shipped to Africa alongside the cycles. Spare parts are vital to ensure that bikes can be repaired and kept going.
I have a cycle that has been left outside for years - is it still useful to you?
If a cycle is too rusty and you don't think we will be able to strip out anything useful, it would be better to take it to your local scrap-metal recycling point.
Cycles that have been kept in a shed or garage and just have a layer or two of rust-dust are usually OK.
Can you collect bikes from Essex?
We do not have the resources (financial or manpower) to collect bikes and so we have to rely on people bringing the bikes to us.
We realise that not everyone is able to bring their donated cycles to us, but if you have a friend, relative or neighbour who can bring the bike with them to Colchester, we would be very glad to see them.
I would like to donate my cycle but I live a long way away from Colchester...
We are delighted that you would like to donate your cycle to us but but, unless you can arrange for it to be brought to us in Colchester, it is probably better to donate it to a cycle recycling project nearer to you. For a list of other cycle projects in the UK see the bike recycling website www.bikerecycling.org.uk
Of course, you can also support our work by making a financial donation to help with the shipping costs to get cycles and cycle spares to our African partners.
Are all the cycles you receive sent to Africa?
Yes, apart from those that are not suitable but can be cannibalised for spare parts and a few cycles that are sold every month in Colchester to help towards our shipping costs. For example, Colchester's students are very appreciative of second-hand cycles to get them to college.
Why are some of the cycles sold by your African partners?
Our partners' projects in Africa need to be sustainable and so they may sell some of the cycles they receive from Re-Cycle to raise much needed funds to cover their costs including paying the mechanics they employ. Typically the projects provide both local employment and training.
As much as possible, our African partners distribute at least a proportion of the cycles without charge – and priority is given to those most in need including essential workers in healthcare and teaching.
Those cycles that are sold are sold at modest prices, often with the benefit of interest-free (micro) credit; usually, the cycle can be paid for out of the savings made on private or public minibus fares. Once the cycle is fully paid for, the savings continue to mount up for the recipient.
Last updated: 20 June 2007