WANTED: 12.5 million used kids bikes – can you help?

This article is sponsored by The Bike Club and contains affiliate links 

12.5 million is a huge number.  But 12.5 million is a REALLY MIND BLOWING NUMBER when you discover it’s how many unused kids bikes are estimated to be languishing in sheds, garages and cupboards around the UK!

Not only is this a huge waste of resources, it’s actually stopping children riding bikes. Thanks to the huge surge in interest in cycling during the pandemic there’s a massive shortage of new bikes and many parents are struggling to find a bike for their growing child. 

If you’re now thinking to yourself “Oh yes – I really ought to get round to selling that old bike” then you’re definitely not alone. 

In fact, recent research conducted by The Bike Club has shown that the biggest hoarders were adults with children aged between 5-11 as just under half (49%) of them claim to have an unused kids bike, and well over one in 10 (12%) admitted to storing their unused kids bikes for over 4 years! 

To be honest, I’m not at all surprised by these figures.  And I wasn’t surprised that the main reason people gave for having an unused bike at home was ‘it’s too much hassle to sell’.

You need the time and skills to do some maintenance so you’re confident the bike is in tip top condition.  You’ve then got to photograph and list it, not to mention the stress of setting a price and dealing with all the responses.  All while hoping you’re not asked to post it! 

I know one of the reasons many Cycle Sprog readers buy a quality kids bike is the resale value, but I do wonder how many of you haven’t quite got round to selling it on? 

Thankfully this is where The Bike Club can help with their reCycle scheme. 

They already have a fleet of 22,000 new and used kids bikes they lease in return for a monthly subscription. Each time one of their members outgrows their bike it gets sent back and swapped for the next size, whilst the small bike gets maintained and sent out to another child to ride.

So The Bike Club are ideally placed to rescue some of those unused bikes and get them back onto the paths, trails and roads of the UK.  That means more kids riding bikes and less reliance on manufacturing new bikes. 

And the added bonus is that in the process thousands of families will get some extra cash and a bit more space in their shed. 

If you, or your friends and family, have got a quality kids bike that’s been outgrown and needs selling on, here’s the hassle free steps to giving it a new lease of life via the reCycle Scheme: 

• Fill in the online form on The Bike Club website with details of the bike that your Sprog has grown out of
• If it’s one of their preferred brands – Islabikes, Frog, Hoy or Squish – you’ll get an immediate quote telling you what The Bike Club will pay you
• The Bike Club will send a courier with a bike box to your house
• All you need to do is make sure the bike is clean, and then place it in the box when it arrives
• The Bike Club will check your bike matches the condition you told them, and then make payment into your bank account
• They will perform any maintenance needed on your bike and add it to their fleet – ensuring it gets ridden again, and again, and again 
• You have cash in your bank to put towards your child’s next bike

If your bike isn’t one of the Bike Club’s preferred bikes, then you’ll be asked to provide more details. If the bike is suitable to enter into their fleet then you’ll be given a quotation for its value.  If your bike isn’t quite right for them you’ll be given the opportunity to donate it to The Bike Project – a charity who will pass it onto a child who needs it. 

You don’t need to be an existing member of The Bike Club to submit your used bike for consideration, plus there’s no obligation for you to sign up to get your child’s next bike from them either. 

DO YOU HAVE A QUALITY USED BIKE READY TO SELL ON? CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT IT’S WORTH WITH THE reCYCLE SCHEME

Here’s a great video The Bike Club have made to explain a bit more about how the reCycle scheme works:

DON’T HAVE A BIKE READY TO PASS ON AT THE MOMENT?  PLEASE SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY – THEY’LL THANK YOU FOR THE CASH AND SPACE! 

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Other articles you may like to read whilst you’re here:

• How to prepare a kids bike for selling second hand in just 9 steps
• Leasing a kids bike – everything you need to know
• Help! Where can I buy a kids bike with quick delivery?