GOT a bike in the back shed you’re not using? The Rotary Club of Canberra would love to have it for the return of its annual BuyCycle fundraiser.

“The aim of BuyCycle is to look at a new and novel way to bring in some income for the club, but to also work within the community to get people out more on bikes, riding, doing healthy things,” says immediate club past-president Sandra Turner.

BuyCycle funds will go to Rotary’s “community fund,” to support future projects in the local community or internationally.

“From 2015 to 2019, BuyCycle grew every year but then, of course, we had to stop because of COVID-19.

“So 2022 is a perfect time to reconvene. Spring is the best time for cycling and getting outside. 

“We know that a lot of people did a lot of different exercises while they were in lockdown and bikes were one of the things that people bought and used and got some value out of.

“We expect that there’s probably a few people now who aren’t using them as much and so we’re encouraging the community to look in their shed, look in the backyard, and if they’ve got a working bike that they are no longer using then BuyCycle is an opportunity for them to dust it off and donate it to Rotary to help us improve our funds.

“Or they can sell it through us as well and we receive a small [commission] for the effort of selling the bike on their behalf.

“The Rotary Club of Canberra has been around since 1928. It provides an opportunity for people to actually give something back to the community.” 

In 2019 there were more than 200 bikes for sale, she says, and there was a queue of “at least a good 50 people” ready well before opening time.

So, this year she’s urging people who are interested to get in quick –  BuyCycle 2022 will open at 9am on Sunday, October 16, at the Fitters Workshop in Kingston.

“In 2019 there was a really good mix of bikes,” she says.

“Bikes for children, bikes for older people or adults, one or two electric bikes, there was a tandem bike and there was a kiddies trailer bike, so people have contributed all different sorts of things before,” she says.

In previous years, 80 per cent of the bikes have been sold, and to help with any concerns, Sandra says there will be a mechanic at this year’s event to check everything.

If people have a bike to donate it would be certainly appreciated.

“Bikes have to be mechanically sound and in a safe working order – and giving your bike a good clean before you drop it off will definitely encourage interest,” she says.

There are drop off locations on the north and south sides of Canberra, and donations should be made before October 14 – send an email through the Canberra Rotary Club website to organise a donation.

Alternatively, people can drop off their bike donation at the Fitters Workshop between 11am and 4pm on October 15.

“Previous events have shown that bikes sell in the range between $200 to $800, so that means there are some great bikes available for all riders and budgets,” she says.

“People can list their bikes now on the Canberra BuyCycle website, but we tend to see most listings closer to the event. In previous years, we typically have had around 200 bikes for sale on the day and we expect to have that many or more listed by this event.”

The owner of two bikes, Sandra says: “Canberra is a cycling city. I think Rotary has been known over many years for fundraising activities and so cycling was a logical option. You’ve got everything you need in Canberra for cycling.

“I’d love to see BuyCycle continue to grow, through bike contributions and community involvement.”

canberrabuycycle.com.au