About Re-Cycle
Re-Cycle collects unwanted bicycles in the UK, prepares them, and sends them to rural communities across Africa. We also support local partners with tools, spare parts, and training so bikes stay on the road for years. Our mission is to change lives through bicycle re-use.
To date, we have delivered more than 160,000 bicycles to trusted partners across Africa, creating long-term change for individuals and entire communities.
We collect bikes through a combination of partnerships, local business drop-off points, individual donations, and pop-up collection events across the UK. Many people donate bikes they no longer need, while businesses and community groups help us gather larger numbers. We also arrange collections near our warehouse in Wormingford, Essex.
Our bikes are distributed by local partners in countries including Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, South Africa, Malawi and Nigeria. Partners prioritise students, teachers, nurses, farmers, market traders, and community health workers.
We receive no government funding. Re-Cycle is funded through individual donations, grants from trusts, and support from corporate and community partners. We also generate income through the sale of refurbished bikes at our warehouse.
Donating a Bike
We accept adult mountain bikes, hybrids, city and commuter bikes, children’s bikes (12”–24” wheels), road and touring bikes, and shopper bikes. Ideally, bikes should have less than 25% rust on the frame. Flat tyres and rusty chains are fine — we can replace those.
We cannot accept completely unrideable bikes, heavily rusted frames, or bikes that are broken beyond repair.
Yes, we can accept electric bikes.
You can drop off your bike at one of our partner locations or arrange a local collection near our warehouse in Wormingford, Essex. Use our postcode checker to see if we collect from your area.
Usable parts are salvaged and sent as spares. Remaining materials are responsibly recycled. We aim for zero waste wherever possible.
Bikes to Africa
Local partners distribute the bikes according to community needs. Many go to students for school, health workers for outreach, and farmers or traders for work. Some bikes are sold locally, with profits reinvested into community projects such as schools, clinics, and water supplies.
We build long-term partnerships. We provide tools, spare parts, and training for local mechanics so bikes can be maintained for years. This creates lasting impact and supports local livelihoods.
Partners prioritise people with the longest or most difficult journeys — students travelling far to school, health workers covering large areas, and farmers or traders transporting goods.
Yes. We carefully select and prepare bikes that handle rough, unmade roads. Mountain bikes, hybrids, and sturdy shopper bikes are particularly well-suited. We also listen to partner feedback to send the most appropriate bikes for each area.
Impact Areas
Bikes get students to school safer, quicker, and less tired. Attendance improves and grades often rise. Partners provide maintenance training, high-visibility vests, and helmets, prioritising those with the furthest journeys.
Bikes allow people to reach clinics and hospitals more easily. They also enable nurses and community health workers to visit remote villages, deliver medical supplies, and expand the reach of healthcare services.
Bikes help people reach work, farms, and markets more efficiently. Farmers can transport produce, traders can carry goods, and artisans can expand their customer base — increasing income and reducing daily stress.
Buying a Bike & Servicing
Yes. We sell refurbished bikes that have been prepared by our qualified mechanics. These are bikes that are either not suitable for Africa or contain more bespoke parts that would be difficult to replace once overseas. All bikes are refurbished in-house at our warehouse.
Bikes are sold from our warehouse in Wormingford, Essex. Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.
No. We turn over bikes too quickly to keep an online shop up to date. New bikes are put out on the shop floor regularly, so the best way to see what’s available is to visit us in person.
Prices vary depending on the type, size, and condition of the bike. All bikes are priced affordably to make cycling accessible to as many people as possible.
Yes. Our workshop offers a range of servicing packages and repairs. All profits from servicing go directly into supporting our work in Africa.