For over 20 years, The Bike Station has been working in the heart of local communities, changing lives through cycling. On the 1st of December we launched a crowdfunding campaign to support our transition to and set up of a new home after facing staggering rent increases of 158% at our Causewayside location. We're known for our work in tackling inequality and empowering grassroots communities through programmes like the Wee Bike Library and creating social chnage in our communities across Edinburgh and Perth but we need public support to help us in our transition to a new home.
Sasha Taylor, Chief Executive of The Bike Station, said:
“Whilst we understand the need for commercial businesses to make a profit for their shareholders, the continued rise in rental costs at our Causewayside branch have made staying in our decade-long home unsustainable.
Grassroots charities need security of premises to be able to enrich our communities.
We have been embedded within the community for over 20 years and whilst it will be change for our customers and supporters we are excited at the prospect of a new venture and working with landlords who value our work beyond their own gain”.
Alastair Lees, Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Bike Station, added;
“Over the 20 year history of The Bike station Edinburgh we’ve had several setback but each time we’ve come back stronger and renewed in our determination to keep Edinburgh cycling and health”
Causewayside has been the home of our bike refurbishing workshop as well as grassroots community programs for many years. The dramatic increase in rent, forces us to find a new location, crucial services such as the Wee Bike Library are at risk of disruption, impacting thousands of people, including families and kids, in the local area but public support will help us to continue serving our communities during this period of change.
A user of the Wee Bike Library, just one of our trailblazing initiatives, illustrates the profound impact it’s had in their lives;
“We have triplets and so new bikes at Christmas would have been a huge financial burden on us had it not been for Wee Bike Library. This is a fantastic service and it should continue and grow!”
While another beneficiary of The Bike Station’s work, a participant of ‘Shifting Gears’ describes the impact our community programmes have had on their mental wellbeing
“I cycle everywhere now, this bike has given me a new lease of life. Whenever I feel low I go out on my bike, which always makes me feel better.”
We will continue to promote active travel, sustainability, generational change and make Scotland’s communities more connected but we are asking local supporters, cyclists, and anyone who believes in grassroots change to help us transition to and set up a new home.
Support The Bike Station - our crowdfunding campaign is available here, where donations can be made directly to support the cause.