"Experience freedom on two wheels: Discover the charities revolutionizing the lives of refugees and asylum seekers by promoting cycling"
In several communities across the UK, charities are making a significant impact on the lives of asylum seekers and refugees by providing them with bicycles. Among these initiatives, the Bristol Bike Project and Women on Wheels in Glasgow's Govanhill stand out for their commitment to offering mobility, independence, and social connection.
The Bristol Bike Project, with its mission to provide affordable transport for asylum seekers in Bristol, offers weekly workshops to teach users how to fix their own bikes. The charity has a variety of refurbished bikes, including mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and road bikes, available for donation or purchase at affordable prices.
Shgufta Anwar, the founder of Women on Wheels, established her charity in 2022 with a focus on providing a dedicated space for women, particularly women of color, in the cycling community. Women on Wheels collaborates with Sisters Cycling and offers workshops, including maintenance classes for women. The charity's goal is to provide a space for play, learning, and connection within the community, helping to reduce feelings of isolation.
For many asylum seekers, a bike represents much more than a means of transportation. It symbolizes independence, power, and a small freedom, as they often lose control over many aspects of their lives. Tash Ferguson, standing outside the Bristol Bike Project, discusses the importance of a bike in this context, stating that it provides asylum seekers and refugees with a tool to navigate their new environments with autonomy and dignity.
One woman, Sammy, who attended the sessions at Women on Wheels, struggled initially but eventually learned to cycle and continued to ride. This newfound mobility has had a significant impact on her mental health and overall wellbeing, bringing joy and improving her outlook.
As of March this year, 109,536 people were waiting on an initial decision on their asylum application, with nearly one third (31%) of asylum seekers having been waiting for over a year. The Bike Project (West Midlands and London), another award-winning charity, refurbishes bikes and donates them to refugees and asylum seekers. They also teach refugee women to cycle and run a Bike Buddy Programme, pairing volunteers with refugees for relaxed rides to build confidence and social bonds.
Bike Buddies, a program in development in Coventry, aims to provide asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants with bikes to assist mobility and integration into the community. These programs offer practical mobility for accessing essential services, jobs, and education, as well as psychological and social benefits such as regained independence, confidence, community connection, and reduced isolation. They also provide skill development through cycling lessons and social ride programs.
For those receiving bikes from the Bristol Bike Project or learning to cycle at Women on Wheels, the bicycle serves as a symbol of hope and a new beginning. Former asylum seekers have even donated bikes back to the Bristol Bike Project, demonstrating the transformative power of these programs.
In the 10-year anniversary video of the Bristol Bike Project, a voice expresses joy at their first experience on a bike, feeling free and in control. The bicycle, for these individuals, represents a step towards rebuilding their lives and regaining control in a challenging and uncertain world.
If you are interested in donating a bike to the Bristol Bike Project or volunteering, visit their website. To learn more about Women on Wheels, visit their website. Every bike donated and every hand extended can make a difference in the lives of asylum seekers and refugees, helping them gain independence, mobility, and social connection.
