Active Surrey, in collaboration with Surrey County Council (SCC), SUEZ and partners, is celebrating a major milestone as the Surrey Bike Bank reaches its 1,000th refurbished bike gifted to residents across the county.
The Surrey Bike Bank is a free refurbished bike scheme designed to make cycling more accessible for people who do not own or use a bike. By redistributing bikes to those who need them most, the programme is helping residents unlock active travel opportunities, improve their health, and connect more easily with education, employment and community services.
Marisa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Surrey County Council, said: “We have supported this project by refurbishing the bike workshop where pre-loved bikes can be repaired and given a new lease of life.
1,000 residents will benefit from this brilliant scheme which will also prevent all these bikes going to landfill. This is a fantastic achievement and testament to working collaboratively with our partners.”
Transforming lives across Surrey communities
Since launching, the scheme has delivered bikes across all districts and boroughs in Surrey, with the highest numbers distributed in Waverley, Spelthorne, Woking, Guildford, Surrey Heath and Reigate & Banstead, which have all received over 100 bikes each.
The programme supports a wide range of residents, including:
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Looked after children
- Domestic abuse survivors
- Low-income households and lower socio-economic groups
- People living with long-term health conditions
Around 60% of bikes have been given to adults and 40% to children and young people, to help entire families become more active together.
Lawrie Baker, Head of Active Communities at Active Surrey, said:
“Reaching 1,000 bikes is a fantastic milestone and a testament to what can be achieved when communities, partners and organisations come together. Surrey Bike Bank is about much more than bikes. It’s about creating opportunity for active travel, improving health, and making sure everyone has the chance to cycle regardless of their circumstances.”
A circular economy approach with real impact
The Surrey Bike Bank is built on a strong sustainability ethos, working with partners to rescue bikes that would otherwise go to waste and give them a new purpose in local communities.
A key partnership for the Surrey Bike Bank is with HMP Ford in West Sussex and SUEZ – which runs Surrey’s community recycling centres (CRCs). It is here that residents can drop repairable bikes which are then taken to HMP Ford by SUEZ.
Approximately 20 bikes per week are refurbished by inmates under professional supervision, which are then distributed to Surrey residents through Active Surrey.
This initiative not only saves bikes from going to waste but also supports skills development and rehabilitation opportunities for prisoners.
Gareth Swain, Regional Manager at SUEZ said:
“Our partnership with HMP Ford has been integral to the support we have been able to give on this project. Re-use is the best thing we can do with our waste not only to preserve natural resources but also to benefit local communities and projects like this.”
Community contributions have also been central to success. Bike donation drives have taken place in schools and community groups, alongside “Dr Bike” repair events where residents can donate their unwanted bikes to the scheme.
In schools delivering Bikeability training in disadvantaged areas, children who complete Level 2 cycling training can receive a free bike, helmet, light and lock. The long-term effects of this have dramatically helped remove cost barriers and embed cycling habits for life.
Supporting healthier lifestyles and a greener future
By providing free bikes, the programme helps residents:
- Save money on travel
- Increase physical activity and improve mental wellbeing
- Reduce carbon emissions through more sustainable transport
- Build stronger community connections
The initiative aligns with key sustainability principles by supporting improvements in transport, waste reduction, access and equality, and community engagement.
Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, Surrey County Council, said:
“This initiative shows how innovative partnerships and circular economy thinking can deliver real benefits for residents. By repurposing bikes and getting them to those who need them most, we are supporting healthier lives while reducing waste and protecting the environment.”
Get involved
Residents, organisations and businesses are encouraged to support the scheme by donating unwanted bikes or attending local collection drives and events.
To find out more, www.activesurrey.com/Your-community/Surrey-Bike-Bank.