February 19, 2015

Get Back On Ya Bike

A group of Wollongong environmentalists have launched an initiative to help UOW students get to and from uni by giving them pre-loved bikes for free. 

The Get Back On Ya Bike initiative was inspired by the success of the 'Goodwill Hunting' program.

Co-organiser and PhD student Steph Toole said there are many benefits to getting students to use bikes more often. 

“We thought it would be a great idea to offer students bikes donated by the community to help them get around campus, the city, and to explore the broader network of great bike tracks in the area,” Steph said. 

“At the same time, getting people out of cars and onto their bikes can help reduce traffic and parking congestion and improve general health and wellbeing, so it has been a really positive initiative that the community has got behind.” 

The organisers have already received 30 bikes so far, but are hoping to collect more this Saturday at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC) where people can come and donate their pre-loved bikes between 10am-12pm. 

“It would be amazing if we reached our target of 50 bikes. We are asking that bikes be in reasonable working condition and require little to no repairs, and we are also asking for donations of helmets to keep up with the demand,” Steph said. 

The group is also asking for volunteers to help them give the bikes a “health check” before they’re passed on to students. 

Students can pick up a bike at the upcoming Goodwill Hunting event on 28 February at the UniHall. Students must show their student card to be eligible for a bike. 

If you would like to volunteer or donate a bike, please email contact Get Back On Ya Bike on getbackonyabike@gmail.com.