More former BTN BikeShare bikes are being sent to a charity supporting communities in Africa.
Up to 380 of them are being donated to Re-Cycle, a UK based charity who redistribute the bikes to countries such as Ghana, The Gambia, South Africa and Zambia.
This is the second and final batch of bikes from the old BTN BikeShare fleet being donated to charity. Last month we announced that around 100 bikes were being donated to ‘Cycle of Good’ who support communities in Malawi.
All branding will be removed and recycled, and all viable bikes will be sent to Re-Cycle’s team in Colchester for any further modifications.
Councillor Elaine Hills, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee said: “Now the cycles have reached the end of their time on the streets of Brighton & Hove, I’m pleased we have been able to make a further donation to charity to reduce waste.
“The old BTN BikeShare bikes have been tremendous servants to the city, covering more than four million miles since 2017, and it’s great they’ll be given a new lease of life
“By redistributing the bikes globally, we’re also showing that schemes like ours can be sustainable and innovative. We’re doing everything we can to reuse, repurpose or recycle.”
Re-Cycle has sent over 130,000 bikes and hundreds of thousands of spare parts to countries across Africa over the past 25 years. During this time, the bikes and spare parts have helped thousands of people in rural communities across the continent.
Every bike received is checked and if suitable, is prepped and loaded onto a shipping container and sent to a local partner.
Once received, they are rebuilt and distributed into the local community either through partner programmes or sold.
Charlotte Ward, Re-Cycle’s Director says “We are very grateful to Brighton & Hove City Council for donating these bikes to Re-Cycle.
“They will help transform so many people’s lives across Africa by giving them access to affordable and sustainable transportation.”
Read more about Re-Cycle and the work they do.
In December, we agreed a contract with the UK’s leading micromobility provider, Beryl, to deliver the city’s new e-bike share scheme.
Work is now underway between the council and Beryl to relaunch a new and improved scheme this Spring.
