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Giving Abandoned Bikes a Second Life through Broken Spoke

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Background: 

This project tackles the issue of abandoned bikes in Oxford by collecting them and donating them to local charities like The Broken Spoke Bike Co-op (Broken Spoke). Broken Spoke refurbishes these bikes and offers them at affordable prices, promoting sustainable transportation and making cycling accessible to a wider community.

Challenges:

ODS: Finding a sustainable solution for managing abandoned bikes, which create clutter and logistical challenges.

Broken Spoke: Increasing access to cycling by addressing the barrier of high new bike costs, offering affordable refurbished alternatives.

Solution:

ODS partnered with Broken Spoke to establish a bike reuse programme. This programme creates a win-win situation:

  • Reduces waste: Prevents abandoned bikes from cluttering streets and avoids improper disposal.

  • Supports a local charity: Provides Broken Spoke with a steady stream of bikes to refurbish.

  • Increases access to cycling: Offers affordable bikes to the community.

Results:

In 2023, ODS successfully removed over 650 abandoned bikes, clearing public spaces, and reducing clutter. This partnership has also benefitted Broken Spoke, who refurbished 133 bikes in 2023, giving them a second lease of life and promoting sustainable transport. The success continues in 2024, with Broken Spoke already refurbishing 67 bikes (June 2024).