Pedal power: Penicuik bike project secures £1000 recycling grant

A Penicuik social enterprise is steering a course for a more sustainable future after being awarded £1000 from Levenseat, Midlothian Council’s bulky waste recycling partner.

Re-Cycles Penicuik take donated bikes and scooters then repair, refurbish, and sell them on at low cost to local residents from their base in the town’s John Street shopping precinct.

Levenseat Community Benefit Fund

The group initially applied for £500 to help pay for workshop items and additional storage - but were awarded double that amount by Levenseat, who pledge financial support to local organisations involved in reuse and recycling initiatives through its Community Benefit Fund.

The extra funding has now gone towards the installation of heavy-duty workbenches, as well as tool hangers and open shelving for spare parts and consumables needed to keep the project running smoothly.

Breathing space

Re-Cycles Penicuik organiser Ian Roxburgh (pictured) said: “Basically, we didn't have a proper workshop - we were just working off the floor really. This gives us a bit of breathing space, and we’re able to plan a bit better.

“There is specialised stuff we need, and if you don't have it you struggle, especially with older bikes. So it’s about building that up - anything that can just make it a bit more professional or a wee bit quicker.”

Sustainable cycling

Re-Cycles Penicuik have refurbished or repaired around 1500 bikes since being set up by a handful of local volunteers in 2021. Relying on donated bikes that might otherwise go to disposal means they can turn them around at minimal cost and pass those savings on. Reconditioned cycles can often be bought for as little as £20-£30. 

As well as widening access to a healthy, sustainable form of transport, the project provides an affordable way to get into cycling - particularly for families, given how quickly children can outgrow bikes. 

MOT-style check

Examining each bike that comes through the door and doing all the necessary work can take anything up to a couple of hours, with every cycle subject to a multi-point MOT-style checklist before being put out for sale.

With overheads to pay, tools to buy, spares to order, and volunteers to train, all money raised is put back into Re-Cycles. Demand is such that they’ve also had to rent extra storage space to house the backlog.

Referrals

In addition to serving a varied customer base, Re-Cycles also take referrals from Social Work and local charities for those in need such as refugees, and people recovering from addiction.

“We had a blind tandem group in here last week, and we’ll get lots of walk-ins, ladies with zimmers, buggies, and a lot of Ukrainians. They’re not wanting something for nothing - some of them are so grateful,” said Ian.

Demanding

Even though the group is staffed by volunteers, it can be a demanding gig. Retiree Ian reckons he can spend up to 30 hours a week fixing bikes, doing admin, and organising the collection of new donations. Not every one of these can be saved - although they can be a valuable source for spare parts.

More to come

Future plans for Re-Cycles include getting out into the community more to demonstrate basic bike maintenance for local kids, and perhaps eventually branching out into offering e-bike servicing.

“I've often had to say to people - look, instead of repairing your bike, just buy one of ours because you'd be cheaper and you'll get a better bike. And that's our aim,” said Ian.

More information

Re-Cycles Penicuik are based in Up Market, John Street, Penicuik. Email them at re-cycle@penicuik.org.uk

Keep up to date with bikes for sale and new arrivals at the Re-Cycles Penicuik Facebook page.