Bike Markets

High up-front costs can be a barrier for people to start cycling. Instead, Bike Markets, supported by Lambeth Council, offer people the chance to purchase a used bike that has been serviced by a professional mechanic for a reasonable price. Bike Markets also offer people a place to donate their unwanted bikes to a good cause; thus, reducing the amount of waste going to landfill by encouraging upcycling of these products.

Bike Markets serve as both the perfect place to pick up a refurbished bike at a great price, as well as a location for those who live, work, study in and visit Lambeth to donate their unwanted bikes to a good cause, supporting the ambition for a more circular economy.

Measures taken to achieve goals:

The donated bikes are serviced by Brixton-based upCYCLE, supporting local business, and checked by a qualified mechanic to ensure they are in good working order so participants are confident in their purchase. The bikes are then sold at a reasonable price at bike markets events, as run by Peddle My Wheels (a social enterprise) with 100% of all sales proceeds going back to upCYCLE. Since September 2022 there have been 13 public bike markets with 49 bikes donated and 84 bikes sold in Lambeth, demonstrating an appetite for these exchanges in the locality.

upCYCLE’s mission is simple; they provide free bikes, cycle training, and bicycle maintenance workshops for young people from minority ethnic groups and are based out of The Remakery in Brixton. Championing young people in the locality to feel safe cycling in the area whilst making the transition to active travel more accessible to all.

For more information on the bike markets and to check when the next market is taking place, please visit www.peddlemywheels.com/second-hand-bike-markets (opens in a new window)