Landfill volunteers recycle 480 bikes and counting for Porirua

Volunteers at Trash Palace have recycled 480 bikes in their workshop's first year.

Porirua City Council, which runs Spicer Landfill, helped set up the NZ Green Bike Trust's workshop to reduce the number of bikes being dumped while also selling cheap bikes to the community. 

Green Bike Trust chairman and volunteer repairman ​John Poppleton was thrilled with the progress, which had seen 480 bikes turned around since the workshop opened last December.

"Once we repair the bikes, we then pick an affordable dollar figure and put a for sale sticker on them.

 "This is a partnership that allows the public to drop off unused or broken bikes.  Green Bikes volunteers to get them into good working order and Trash Palace to have them for sale, seven days per week."

Those in need, such as beneficiaries or refugees, could get vouchers from the Red Cross to pick up a bike.

The numbers of bikes to fix has outstripped the ability of the volunteers so the trust is keen to bring more people on board.

The volunteers also deconstruct bikes that are beyond repair for parts.

"Looking out the window at the workshop, there are 1000-plus bikes in different states of repair or disrepair."

 Regulars Mike Penhey and John Poppleton can be found at the workshop most Fridays.

"Next year we are looking at some strategies  to provide basic bike mechanic training for people willing to volunteer with the trust," Poppleton said.

The trust was originally formed in 2002 to provide a free bike programme for local residents and visitors to the Porirua central business district.