How To Donate A Bike To Charity - Really Big Bike Ride

Give a bicycle and empower lives in the UK, Africa and beyond

Way back in 2011, Adrian and I cycled 20 countries in 100 days for Re-Cycle, the bikes to Africa charity. Our bicycle journey helped raise funds to send a container of bikes to Africa and highlighted the great work that this wonderful bike charity does to empower lives in Africa.

In late 2012, Adrian had the pleasure of visiting the inspirational tea-fuelled powerhouse that is Re-Cycle HQ over in Colchester, UK. He spent the day learning how to donate a bike to charity and how you can too. What a day it was.

Read all about our Charity Bike Ride for armchair inspiration!

Re~Cycle, the bikes to Africa charity

Re~Cycle sends donated, second-hand and unwanted bicycles to Africa. The Bikes to Africa charity started in 1998 when Merlin Matthews aka Dr Bike began to ship bikes to Africa.

Following a conversation with a Haitian woman about the urgent need for affordable and reliable transportation in her country, Merlin agreed to help.

Soon afterwards, a successful project to send bikes to South Africa, Merlin established Re~Cycle as an independent charity to send bicycles to Africa.

My day with the bikes to Africa team at Re~Cycle

It was a great chance to catch up with the fantastic people who make it all happen! A crack team of volunteers arrived early this morning in abysmal rain and wind to load a shipment of bikes set for Malawi.

As you can see from the pictures, they use every last inch of space. This bicycle to Africa charity takes packing seriously!

Most of the bikes donated to Re-Cycle are sent directly to Africa. If a bike arrives and meets the standard, then it is compacted by removing parts such as pedals and kickstands.

Then the handlebars are turned so they can be packed as tightly as possible.

The bikes will then be rebuilt and serviced when they arrive in Africa by local people who Re-Cycle help to train and educate.

Bicycle donations of all kinds

Some donated bikes are in very poor condition but nothing goes to waste at Re-Cycle! Every nut, bolt, spoke and spindle is painstakingly salvaged and used as spares.

Some bikes such as modern racers and vintage collectors bikes are not suitable for the African market.

These go to a separate workshop where they are serviced and sold locally, generating income to keep the charity afloat.

I was over the moon to see not a penny of our fundraising going to waste.

It was also fantastic to hear that Re-Cycle plans for the future include strengthening their network of African partners.

By helping to meet the increased demand for shipments through setting up more collection depots.

They deserve all the help they can get and we will certainly be behind them every step of the way!

Where to donate a bike to Re~Cycle

Re~Cycle accepts bicycle donations at its Colchester address and has an extensive network of nationwide drop-off points.

Our charity bicycle ride for Re~Cycle

The goal of our charity bike ride was to highlight the importance of the bicycle as a means to improve lives. 20 countries in 100 days was an important milestone in our cycling challenges.

Whether you are lucky enough to live in the developed world or you live in one of the poorest nations, the bicycle has the power to change lives for the better.

Anyone can improve their fitness and well-being by choosing to cycle. In Africa, a bicycle can empower people, giving them access to basic necessities that many of us take for granted.

How to donate bikes to charity in the UK

That’s why we’ve joined forces with Re-Cycle and Back2Bikes.

Re-Cycle’s mission is to collect second-hand bicycles and ship them to Africa. Their partners distribute bikes and teach riders the skills to repair and maintain them.

Their bikes also help health workers reach remote villages and even provide an ambulance service in remote Namibia.

Back2Bikes – the Stafford-based bike charity that recycles bicycles

Back2Bikes is a local bicycle recycling scheme that provides access to affordable bicycles to the local community in Staffordshire and also supplies bikes to African communities too.

We’ve been on the road again this weekend, topping up our biker tans in our cherished homeland of Staffordshire, so we thought we’d drop in on those fantastic folk at Back2Bikes!

If you’ve got a dilapidated old slog iron wasting away in the garden shed, then send it to these guys and they’ll give it a new lease of life.

They can help you get back on the road without breaking the bank or they’ll gladly take any unwanted bikes off your hands.

Donate a bike to change a life

Bikes are used in the workshop to educate placement students from diverse backgrounds in the art of bike mechanics. The workshop was a hive of activity when we arrived, all fueled by volunteers!

We had a great chat with Back2Bikes operations manager, Mark Vyner who told us how Back2Bikes has gone from strength to strength over the last 7 years.

These days, they not only provide a source of affordable bikes to the local community. But they also hire out vintage bikes for film and theatre. And they have even started selling bargain bike bits like pre-cut brake and gear cable replacement kits.

It’s certainly a thriving and inspirational organisation, well worth dropping in for a visit!

Where to donate a bike to charity

You can donate a bike to Back to Bikes at their Stafford address:

Frequently Asked Questions About Donating and Recycling Bikes

Can I donate a bike that’s not in working condition?

Yes. Many bike charities accept non-working bikes for parts or refurbishment. However, it’s best to check with the specific charity. Some may only accept bikes in reasonable condition to minimise repair costs.

Where can I recycle an old bike near me?

Local recycling centres, bike shops, and national charities often accept used bikes. Use your council website to find the nearest household waste recycling centre, or check with a UK-wide charity like Re-Cycle.

How do I prepare a bicycle for donation?

Remove any personal items, give it a quick clean, and check for obvious damage. If possible, inflate the tyres and secure any loose parts. Most charities will do a full service, but the better the condition, the quicker it can be reused.

Do charities collect bikes from home?

Some charities offer bike collection services, especially in major cities. Others rely on drop-off locations or partner with bike shops. Check the donation page of each organisation for details on collections.

Can I get a receipt or proof of donation?

Yes, most registered charities will provide a receipt upon request. This can be useful if you’re claiming Gift Aid or tracking charitable donations for your own records.

What types of bikes can I donate?

You can usually donate all types of bicycles — kids’ bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, and even folding bikes. Some organisations also accept bike accessories like helmets, lights, panniers, and locks.

Can I donate a bicycle on behalf of a business or school?

Absolutely. Bulk donations from schools, universities, or corporate settings are welcome by many organisations. Reach out to the charity directly to arrange logistics and partnership opportunities.