• Owning a bike opens up the city

     

    Location: Brixton, London  

     

    Muhammed Ahmad is a 16 year old from Pakistan who arrived in London in January 2008. Although he used to ride a bike in his home country, he did not own a bike in London and “had no idea how to repair one.” When Muhammed heard about the Spoke project run by the Refugee Council he was enthusiastic about taking part. “I was very excited as I begun to see myself riding around London, visiting the spots I have only dreamt about in the past.”

     
    Lambeth police donated reclaimed bikes to the Spoke project so that the young people could ‘earn-a-bike’ whilst learning important maintenance skills. 10 young people attended the twice weekly evening sessions that ran for six weeks and the prospect of getting a bike at the end clearly motivated the group. “I was looking forward to working on one which I could take home in a few weeks.”
     
    The Refugee Council recruited several dedicated and committed volunteers who were trained in maintenance and as cycle instructors so they could impart these skills to the young people they were working with. Some of the clients also received the training and worked alongside volunteers to deliver the project. This mix resulted in a positive group dynamic as Muhammed explains: “From the first workshop we all worked together as a team, helping each other and encouraging those with less knowledge.”
     
    This client group can be particularly vulnerable, facing issues such as social isolation and poverty. The opportunity to participate in this project provided a welcome distraction. “For the first time I could forget about my asylum claim. I am sure the other boys feel like this too. Everyone on the project takes me for who I am. The volunteers do not treat me as an asylum seeker and the other boys show the same level
    of respect as we get to know each other on a different level.”
     
    Having completed the workshops Muhammed got to take his bike home and has since been riding to college and has started to “look after my health a bit more, something which I haven’t done since I have been here.” Beyond the obvious health and financial benefits of cycling, there is a sense of empowerment and freedom. “I want to go to the countryside, to the seaside, I can’t wait!”




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