We are the only dedicated organisation providing this unique support to refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland.

We are much more than a bicycle project.

Access to bikes for New Scots can be transformational and liberating, supporting every aspect of people’s daily lives.

Alongside refurbishing and distributing free bikes, we also provide:

• Volunteering and training opportunities to New Scots and others

• New Scots Welcome Packs containing free bike accessories (helmet, lock, lights, tools) as well as essential information and signposting to other free community services and activities

• Community group support such as free community meals, bike fixing and buddying sessions, led rides and cycling skills.

We work with a wide range of community, statutory and private partners supporting the delivery of our activities.

We are passionate about climate action through the promotion of active and sustainable travel alongside the refurbishment of bicycles for New Scots.

We can’t do what we do without your support. Please support us by donating bikes or funds, or by fundraising or volunteering your time and skills. We welcome new partnerships and collaborations from across all sectors.

Early 2016:

• Our founder Steven and Yaman a Syrian New Scot meet for the first time in Edinburgh

• Pedal Forth bikes in Leith donate a bike to Yaman

Spring 2016:

• Access to a bike for Yaman goes a long way to supporting his resettlement

• Steven & Beth co-founder launch Bikes for Refugees (Scotland) on Facebook

• People start to donate bikes for New Scots - where to put them all?

Summer 2016:

• A partnership is formed with the Wee Spoke Hub Edinburgh to help fix-up bikes

• Our first fundraiser shaking buckets - £400+ raised at Pedal on Parliament - fantastic!

• We secure bike storage space- a 20ft shipping container @Bridge 8 Hub Edinburgh - phew!

Late 2016:

• Volunteers are recruited to help fix up donated bikes - thank you!

• Many bikes are packed into the back of the campervan for transporting to New Scots volunteers @Maslows Glasgow

Early 2017:

• We have a Committee and a Constitution in place- small but important steps

• A new partnership with Soulriders Glasgow - no more squeeezing bikes into the back of a campervan

• 100 Bikes gifted to New Scots

• Parliamentary Motion by Scottish Greens congratulating our milestone

April 2017:

• Registered as a SCIO (SC047302) - moving up a gear

• Committee members become Trustees/Directors - now to find a Treasurer

• Now for the Policy Work, more fundraising, partnerships, volunteers

Summer 2017:

• Yaman the inspiration behind Bikes for Refugees joins board of directors as a trustee with lived experience - community voices

• Our board of directors expands further and we find a Treasurer - whoop!

• Expansion at Bridge 8 Hub Edinburgh taking on a proper workshop space converting a 40ft shipping container

• Building capacity - contracting one day per week bike mechanic @Edinburgh Hub

Summer 2018:

• Summer of Love! - Bikes for refugees invited to speak at Pedal on Parliament

• Lots of work Grant fundraising - building capacity & impact

• We become an employer - Welcome to Gabe Project Manager

Feb 2019:

• 500! bikes refurbished and gifted to New Scots

• Cycle Friendly Community Award - Silver (Cycling Scotland)

• Fundraising continues - grants & community support

June 2019:

• 18 bikes (8 adults + 10 children) delivered to four new Syrian families in NE Scotland

• On the move from SoulRiders Scotland our Glasgow home for the last few years

August 2019:

• We commision Public Art works at Bridge 8 Hub Edinburgh - incredible!

• Bikes for Refugees - World Bike Throwing Championships (yes we made it up) at Glasgow HSBC Bike fest

Sept 2019:

• Pedal for Scotland II - 16 Riders strong & £2,000+ raised

• New Scot friend and volunteer Mehdi on his homemade tall bike becomes the final person to cross the line at a Pedal for Scotland ride ever after 20yrs

• 800! bikes refurbished and gifted to New Scots

• Move into a temp workshop space at Glasgow Caring City

Feb 2020:

• Fundraising, fundraising, fundraising!

• Welcome to Mike our 2nd staff appointment - Project Worker Edinburgh

• 1,000!! Bikes gifted to New Scots

March 2020:

• Covid-19 - Global Pandemic!

• Move to supplying bikes to key workers in Edinburgh and Glasgow

• Providing free emergency food aid to New Scots experiencing food insecurity and poverty

April 2020:

• Providing free smart phones and top-ups to New Scots addressing Covid isolation

• Covid-19 and Lockdown - much uncertainty for BfR and our community

• Suspending operations - working from home!

June 2020:

• Continuing to support our community with emergency Covid relief aid working in partnership with Maslows and MORE distributing food vouchers & phones

• Running out of bikes for key workers we launch a new online key workers and community bike match scheme

July 2020:

• Over £70k emergency Covid relief raised and distributed to isolated New Scots

• Slowly resuming bike distributions to New Scots Edinburgh and Glasgow

Sept 2020:

• Receive national recognition for Pandemic relief work to New Scots and Key Workers

• One of 12 UK charities recognised with a unique bespoke public bench located in Glasgow Green

Oct 2020:

• Au Revoir to Gabe our Project Manager new beginings in France - we will miss you!

• Welcome Matt to Bikes for Refugees our new Project Manager (Hubs) from Cycling Scotland

Jan 2021:

• Back into Covid lockdown - services restricted once more

• Move into new Covid secure premises hosted by Edinburgh Bike Tours Leith, Edinburgh

March 2021:

• 1,300 bikes gifted to New Scots

• Our Founder Steven nominated for Pride of Scotland Award!