Dear Tigger
There are 100's of bikes at the place where we are staying. The community has donated them for use by immigrants (particularly resettled refugees) arriving in the community. They are not all 'going' bikes, so we have been spending some time helping F's bro fix up some that can be fixed by scavenging bits off bikes that can't be fixed.
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| All pimped up and ready to go... |
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| Work in progresss |
Those are the doors of the engineering workshop in the background. The bikes are just volunteer work that gets fitted around fixing and modifying agricultural machinery and restoring classic cars.
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| A fraction of the collection |
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| Another fraction.... |
There are even more filling the old nursery shadehouse round the back. There are also heaps of wheels and frames that are destined to become bean fences, arbours, and kinetic artwork.
(You might only see the last one if you have instagram.)
What a great idea - what a great community minded brother to take on organising this ‘work’. I take it he has a bit of help now and again.
ReplyDeleteBikes aren’t just playthings, even though learning to ride one builds confidence, for some people having one could mean they able to get to school or work.
Help, such as it is offered is in the form of F and Mr B. People who get bikes are encouraged to participate in any renovation and maintenance required and can come back for mechanical repairs but by then they know they will be shown how to do the repairs and can use the tools in the workshop to do it themselves. Exceptions are women who are single parents and have come from cultures where women don't have a background in bike tinkering.
DeleteSplendid! The bean fences are great but the icosahedron is stunning.
ReplyDeleteF has always wanted to build something like that but gathering up enough old bike wheels in UK has been a challenge.
Deletewow, what a super great thing to do for the migrants or for anyone. the recycle is AMAZING, i looked at all three links and all the different ways to use bike wheels and had a few wow moments. the arbor is a favorite and that kinetic art thingy is totally amazing and fun and beautiful. keep those old parts from filling the land fill.
ReplyDeleteAnything left at the end of the process tends to go to scrap dealers for metal recycling. Some old frames are going to be transformed into bike racks/bike stands for parking bikes in.
DeleteThat’s a great idea to help those who need it. And the art is great. Plus your saving on landfill so it’s brilliant
ReplyDeleteHadn't thought about landfill....the scraped (not used for fences and art) parts are collected by a scrap metal dealer. There is not much left by then.
DeleteCan you ride a big Tigger or are the pedals not paw friendly for you?
ReplyDeleteI ride by being propelled by a human Dave - it's what they (humans) are for.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI can repawt that Tigger approves considerably more on this post to the previous one! I am thinking that F will already be wondering how she can make such a fine bean support and where she might scavange some dead wheels to do so! Hugs and whiskeries, YAM-aunty xxx
F had already collected a few wheels for this purpose before we went to Greece. Somepne else got those with our old allotment. We use heras fencing these days. Xxx Mr T and F
DeleteGail, who enjoys tinkering with bicycles as well as riding them, thinks this is an excellent project.
ReplyDeleteTell Gail any time she wants a holiday in NZ there is accommodation in the 'guest house', a workshop full of tools, 100s of bikes..... and 2 terriers. She would be most welcome. (There is even a storeroom full of boiler suits ffrom the days when the place was a school.) She would be welcome to 'knock herself out', as F's bro puts it when asked if one could go to work on bikes.
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