Bike Lab Hastings – runner-up

Bike Lab Hastings (consisting of Mathew McDonnell, Andy Tompkins, Tim Godwin and Graham Burgess plus many more volunteers) runs a free weekly open access workshop on Wednesday evenings for anyone to come along and fix their bike under supervision. The group fosters a DIY culture of learning – whomever turns up is never turned away.

Since 2012 they have refurbished 700 donated bikes, helped more than 1,000 people to maintain their own bikes, and provided over 1,200 volunteer mechanic hours. They regularly have 25 people turn up during the summer to use the facilities and volunteer at the centre, and this without any advertisement other than their Facebook page.

The Bike Lab has grown into a larger social enterprise serving Syrian refugee families and the homeless in Hastings. Many refugee families need a way to get around the city, and bikes are an ideal solution – especially for families!

The Bike Lab is purely volunteer run, and offers volunteer opportunities to many in the local community.

Tim Godwin is also using the Bike Lab to campaign for better cycling provision and safety across Hastings, as 266 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed or seriously injured in the last 10 years. The Bike Lab cares deeply for its community, and Cycling UK is pleased to recognise and celebrate their work.

Cycling UK’s Volunteer of the Year Awards are given annually to recognise and celebrate all the incredible work volunteers do in encouraging others to start cycling and keep cycling.