Haere mai, nau mai! Kia ora koutou katoa, We hope our final newsletter of 2020 finds you looking forward to a well-deserved holiday/rest! It’s been a big year for everyone with plenty of challenges along the way. Despite this, we’ve been blessed with a wide range of support, and we were able to add a pump track and e-cargobike to our fleet, as well as continue the dirty work of fixing up bikes. We want to send out our heartfelt thanks to all of you, for your āwhina (support), your mahi (work), your aroha (love), and your koha (donations).  Ma tini ma mano ka rapa te whai. By many, by thousands, the work (project) will be accomplished. Meri Kirihimete me Ngā Mihi o te Tau Hou! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Where the bikes are at Our container is very full at the moment with a generous amount of bikes being donated recently. If anyone is keen to take a few home to work on in their spare time, give us a shout! But more importantly we’ve now given out 1240 bikes in total (that we’ve counted), with 332 going out so far this year (and a few more going out still this week). We’re not far off last years total of 388 which, all things considered (see April on the graph above!), is pretty amazing!

Women’s learner riders celebrate To celebrate our second year of working with Pedal Ready on the Women’s Learn to Ride workshops, Tessa led a small group of intrepid learners, instructors and volunteers on a scenic ride around Cobham Drive and Miramar Peninsula on Saturday.  Pedal Ready has already booked in some times to continue these workshops next year. Visit https://www.pedalready.org.nz/events to book or email info@pedalready.org.nz to volunteer. If you know of other groups of people who may be nervous about riding but keen to learn, please let us know!

The portable pump track is on the move The portable pump track has had a great time at St Anthony’s and Lyall Bay School. We’re told it is already missed by the students there! Thanks to the support of Upper Hutt City Council’s Activation team, the track will spend the summer holidays at Upper Hutt School. They are kindly offering to pay for four moves (including the two out there and back) which reduces our costs and means we won’t have to start charging schools for its use any time soon. Thank UHCC! This track was funded for the Eastern suburbs schools in Wellington but we’re keen to see more of them around the region. We’re also fundraising for bikes and scooters to go with the track. Every dollar helps!

Workshop hours and Covid operation Tonight is our last fix up of the year. We will have some shared kai at the end of the evening to celebrate a big year. We will be back on the 20th of January. Our workshop has been back in post-Covid normal operation under Level 2 and level 1. There’s QR codes and sign in sheets for those who continue to keep track of their movements and hand washing facilities on sight. We are open from 6-8pm every Wednesday and welcome any volunteers who want to help out, either fixing bikes or with logistics (e.g. labelling bikes, helping clients, entertaining kids, etc.). Ask for Tessa, Leah or Hils.

We need your help! Can you spare an hour a month? Time is precious and we know not everyone has time to spare but could you spare an hours pay?  2020 has been a rough year for most of us. And we’re seeing more people struggling. Many families have lost income and are trying to save money on transport costs. We continue to do our best to provide those in need with a good working bike. To be sustainable we need a few more regular donors. For only $20-50 a month you can help keep our awesome little project rolling. Read more here and please share if you’re not in a position to give right now.

Other ways you can help There’s a number of ways you can help. We’re currently focusing on our core business of getting bikes to people who need them, so these are the best ways to help: Volunteer – We can only give out bikes that have been fixed up and checked. We also need help at fix ups managing donations and giving out bikes, doing admin and occasionally with pick ups or deliveries. Please get in touch if you have spare time or can help in some way. One off donations – $7-$70: buys one to ten sets of lights to give to people who are commuting by bike. These are rechargeable LEDS that exceed the legal requirements and last about 10 hours on a charge. $30-40: pays for a qualified Pedal Ready instructor to give an hour long one on one lesson to a new rider or group. Donations of bikes, tools, spare parts (usable) and time! You can donate directly to our account (no fees charged): Account name: RE-BICYCLE CHARITABLE TRUST Account number: 38-9018-0109320-00 Or via Give a Little (some fees but less admin as they email you a receipt directly) All donations are gratefully accepted. For tax receipts (we’re a registered charity so they are tax deductible) please email us with your details.