Like many, the charity found itself in a vulnerable position in February 2020 when guidelines and advice from the government resulted in many operations being paused.
As transport options were limited during the first lockdown, Alan and the team at The Bike Station came up with an innovative scheme called ‘Hero Bikes’ and provided free bikes to key workers to ensure they were able to travel to and from work safely.
The Bikes Station's original grant from our Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund was reallocated to fund the innovative scheme, which helped 207 key workers.
The group recycle and refurbish donated cycles and deliver cycle skills training with the aim to create better connected, sustainable communities.
Alan, who has recently stepped down first started his role as trustee in 2013 covering both The Bike Station operations in Edinburgh and Perth and quickly became a fundamental part of making the group a success.
He said:
The Bike Station is a great initiative helping to promote cycling in the community in an accessible way.
When I became chair, I made it my mission to get The Bike Station to a financially stable place with a strong management team so our hard work could be focused on the community and not internally.
It’s been life-changing to be part of an organisation that works so well together to bring positive outcomes for the community, I’ve really appreciated the last seven years.
All of the team at The Bike Station are genuinely interested in what they do – which really makes all of the difference.Throughout lockdown when we couldn’t come together to carry out our normal work, we wanted to put our energy into something positive and like most people wanted to help and show support to the amazing front line workers at a really difficult time.
I’ve enjoyed being part of the team at The Bike Station and look forward to seeing the amazing work they do in the future.
Watch Alan's film below.
Find out more about the circular economy here.
Find out more about Active Travel on our website.
Alan was among 11 winners at Paths for All's 12th annual Volunteers Awards. You can find out about the rest of the winners here.