Govanhill-Based Cycling Charity Wants Your Unloved Bikes
While Govanhill streets have seen a significant decrease in vehicular traffic during lockdown, there has been a noticeable increase in two-wheeled travellers. The South City Way which connects Queen’s Park to the city centre has been well-used by locals out for their daily exercise, as well as by key workers finding new ways to commute.
We previously featured the organisations providing bikes to key workers, and how charities were using bicycles to deliver essential supplies to those in need. More and more people are turning to cycling as a means for both work and leisure, and as a way of avoiding the risks involved with taking public transport. Local Facebook groups are full of posts by people in search of second-hand wheels.
Glasgow cycling charity Bike for Good, which has a Govanhill-based community hub, have opened one day a week for bike sales. However, they have announced that they are experiencing an extreme level of demand for bikes, and have put a call out for donations. Communications lead, Kimberley White said:
“It is incredible the amount of people who now want to take up cycling, and this reason is why we exist as a charity. Please help us to meet demand and afford everyone a chance at owning an affordable mode of transport.”
They are calling on the public to donate their unloved or unused bikes in order for them to be rehomed by those who may be turning to cycling as a new mode of transport, better suited to current conditions. They can be dropped off outside their southside hub on Langside Lane, just off Victoria Road between 9am and 4pm, Tuesday to Friday in clearly marked donation drop-off points, or they can be collected from your home.
Bike for Good will then refurbish donated bikes and sell them at affordable prices through their social enterprise. Their southside hub is currently open Saturdays for bike sales, by appointment only. They are also open on Fridays for repairs, and are running online maintence classes and one-on-one bike workshops.