Recycling program re-purposes old bikes for those in need

GET on ya bike, Coasties, it’s time to “up cycle”.

Kerry Breslin works on recycled bikes at Alison Homestead and gives them to under privileged people and charities overseas. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

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GET on ya bike, Coasties, it’s time to “up cycle”.

With bikes proving popular presents again this Christmas, an innovative Central Coast retiree is urging people to donate their old, outdated or surplus bicycles so they can be re-purposed and given to those in need.

After a lifetime’s passion for cycling, South Tacoma resident Kerry Braslin started a bicycle recycling project through the Alison Homestead Men’s Shed in September 2013, with Ken Johnson and the late Terry McGarry.

Since then they have re-gifted more than 1000 bikes across the Central Coast, Sydney and overseas.

Kerry Breslin and Ken Johnston with recycled bikes at Alison Homestead. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

Mr Braslin said the bikes were generously donated by residents who found themselves with an unwanted bike because of upgrading, outgrowing, underuse, storage or maintenance reasons.

“Common examples are grandkids who are now teenagers and have outgrown their bikes, or an adult who has tried a $80 bike from a department store and now wants a serious machine from a bike shop,” he said.

Bikes can be left at the Alison Homestead Mens’ Shed and several neighbourhood centres such as Toukley, San Remo, Wyong, Berkeley Vale, Bateau Bay and The Entrance.

Mr Braslin collects the bikes and repairs, cleans and spruces them up before they are given to not-for-profit organisations who pass them on to their clients.

“Generally speaking, children’s and BMX bikes are re-gifted locally,” he said.

“The better `brand’ bikes go to local teen or adult commuters and the department store bikes to (charity) Bikes 4 Life for shipment to overseas aid programs.”

Kerry Breslin has re-gifted more than 1000 bikes to people in need. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

Some of the organisations involved include charities such as Burnside, St Vincent de Paul, Salvos and Wesley Mission, and special needs schools including HopeTown, Glenvale, Lakes College and Youth Off The Streets in Sydney.

Mr Braslin also provides bikes to rehabilitation centres at Dooralong and The Glen, sporting groups including San Remo BMX Club and Central Coast Cycling Club, and indigenous communities at Brewarrina and Dubbo in the state’s west.

He said department store bikes from the likes of Big W and Aldi were generally not re-purposed, but brand name bikes such as Giant were “a much better option” and could usually be fixed up and given a new lease of life.

“If it’s rusted up or it looks like a kid wouldn’t want to ride it, then it’s probably not worth it,” he said.