Pedals of Hope

In the city of Adelaide, a community bike workshop is making a big difference - one bike at a time. Bikes for Refugees takes old, unwanted bicycles and gives them new life, helping refugees and asylum seekers get around their new home. 

A simple solution

Twenty years ago, Mike Brisco, a passionate cyclist and volunteer with the Australian Refugee Association, saw an opportunity to help. His sister had met a newly arrived family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who had no means of transport. With limited resources, owning a car wasn’t an option. But they knew there was a simple solution: bikes.

What started as a simple request for four bicycles quickly grew into something much larger. Mike received a donation of 10 bikes, repaired them, and reached out to the Australian Refugee Association to see if more were needed. It soon became clear that many families could benefit, and from that realisation, Bikes for Refugees was born.

Restoring bikes

Today, Bikes for Refugees receives around 1,500 bikes each year. Donations come from everyday Australians, corporate donors, police lost property departments and university dorms. Some bikes arrive in excellent condition, while others need repairs. Those beyond repair are used for spare parts, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

A team of dedicated volunteers restores these bicycles. Many are cycling enthusiasts who enjoy repairing bikes, adjusting gears and brakes, and sharing their skills for a good cause. Once a bike is cleaned, serviced, and tested, it’s ready for a new owner.

Every Saturday, the workshop hosts a bike market where refugees and asylum seekers with a referral letter from welfare organisations can choose a free bike to help them get around the city.

“We see different types of people come through,” says Mike. “Sometimes it’s a single household, a household of two to three adults, or one parent and their kids. Most of the time, it is adults in need of transport to get to the railway station and into the city centre.”

Members of the public can also purchase second-hand bikes, with proceeds of the sale going towards the upkeep of the workshop and to support forcibly displaced people around the world.

Through their efforts, Bikes for Refugees has raised over $70,000 for Australia for UNHCR, helping us deliver emergency aid for families in need around the world.

Transforming lives

For newly arrived families, a bicycle is more than just a mode of transport.

“It is a way to access English lessons and community services,” says Mike. “It can be difficult to get a driving license here. It requires 75 hours of practise, knowing someone who owns a full license and access to a car to practice on. And that isn’t cheap.”

For refugee families trying to settle into life in Australia, bikes are often a practical and affordable way to get around.

Despite the program’s success, challenges remain. The organisation is preparing to move from its city-centre location, a space that has been vital for smooth operations and growth. Balancing bike donations, repairs, and funding is an ongoing juggling act. Still, support continues to pour in - driven by word of mouth, the generosity of people, and the simple need for affordable, quality bikes.

Australians understand the value of cycling. It offers sustainable transport, exercise and financial savings all in one. But beyond that, they recognise the power of a simple bicycle to make a meaningful change in the lives of others. Bikes for refugees is not just about repairing bikes, it’s about giving people the opportunity to rebuild their lives.