Bikes for Refugees extends a lifeline of mobility to those seeking new beginnings. Every donated bike becomes a gateway to integration, independence, and hope.
For many of us we are lucky to be able to jump on a bike and find that feeling of freedom it offers. However for some, they just don't have that opportunity. Bikes for Refugees (Scotland) provides freedom of movement and a free means of travel to New Scots (refugees and asylum seekers) through the distribution of free bikes and Welcome Packs. Bikes are donated by communities and refurbished by volunteers. To-date they have distributed over 1,200 free bikes to New Scots.
With every free bike they provide a Welcome Pack containing essential bike accessories (helmet, lock, lights) and information and resources about other free community services and activities. Steven McCluskey applied to the Alpkit Foundation and got in touch about Bikes for Refugees and what the importance being able to access a bike can bring. We were pleased to be able to add help with some of these welcome packs.
"Isolated and socio-economicaly disadvantaged refugees/asylum seekers in the City of Edinburgh will benefit from having access to bikes and these welcome packs. This will help them access essential community services and activities, and to meet new people and develop new friendships and social support networks as well as promoting physical and mental health and wellbeing."