Free bikes will be delivered to Indigenous kids in remote Northern Territory communities later this month.
A new initiative from Resolve ReCYCLING will see restored bikes delivered to children who may not otherwise have access. It’s an exciting project, and one that could spread joy across the state.
Getting the wheels moving
This important project is being undertaken by Resolve ReCYCLING, who have rescued and restored almost 100 bikes from landfill thanks to the work of volunteers in Sydney.
The bikes will be taking a 10,000 kilometer road trip from Sydney to the Northern Territory in the next few weeks, where they will be delivered to kids across the state. The Indigenous communities receiving the bikes were chosen in partnership with Wanta, an organisation supporting Indigenous youth in regional and remote communities. The towns are; Alice Springs/Uluru, Hermannsburg, Black Tank Bore, Kalkarindji and Ngukurr.
Revolve ReCYCLING’s General Manager, Guido Verbist, says that “every kid in Australia deserves the joy of a bicycle.”
“All the bikes being distributed are quality, branded bikes that Sydney kids have grown out of.”
“It’s great to save these bikes from landfill, make cultural connections, work with an Indigenous NGO Wanta, and help the kids in these remote places out.”
Volunteers at the Revolve ReCYCLING facility in Sydney © Resolve ReCYCLING
A new life
Revolve ReCYCLING was established back in 2021 with a mission to find a sustainable solution for used bikes. They work alongside riders, bike shops and Councils, undertaking a number of salvation projects including accepting bike donations from individuals who have outgrown their bikes, and working with local councils to rescue bikes from landfill. They also sell replacement bike parts salvaged from old bikes back to bike shops, and assist them with waste minimisation.
So far, they have recycled or refurbished over 6000 bikes. In total, this means they saved 85 tonnes of waste from landfill and 160 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
In addition to improving Australia’s environmental impact, Revolve ReCYCLING also seek to employ people from disadvantaged or disabled backgrounds by teaching them the essential skills for bike collection and repair and hiring them to help with the mission.
“Every bike is a chance to share happiness, fairness and opportunity,” Guido says. “In the last two years, with the help of our volunteers and staff, some 600 kids including Indigenous kids in inner Sydney, Ukrainian refugee kids, and kids in disadvantaged schools in NSW, Queensland and Victoria have received our redeployed bikes.
“In future, through the new charitable Revolve ReCYCLING Foundation and BIKE, we will aim to give new life to 1000 old bikes for needy kids every year, and we would be thrilled if people want to support our goal and give some joy to some great kids,” Guido added.
The bigger picture
As well as delivering the bikes, the Revolve ReCYCLING team are also supplying tools and equipment to help local communities maintain the cycles. They will be offering riding lessons to locals to ensure they get the most out of their new equipment.
“On local suggestions, we’ve pumped special sealant into the tyres for outback conditions like thorns. The little things count when you want to do big things,” Guido adds.
He will be joined by General Hand Siena Young in delivering the bikes between October 17 and October 22. A fundraising camp has been started by the organisation to cover the cost of the project, and it has already received support from individuals and groups who can see the merit of this exciting project.
Overall, Revolve ReCYCLING are hopeful that delivering these bicycles will bring joy to children across the Northern Territory.
To read about another charity doing some amazing work in Australia, click here.