Bike Shops

Our Bike Shops project is essentially a combination of microfinance, business acumen and up-skilling - with that golden vision and mission of creating and supporting sustainable livelihoods in Sierra Leone. 

We estimate that a bike shop provides employment for six people - a shop manager, bike shop workers, apprentice mechanics and casual workers who use space in the shop to carry out bike repairs and maintenance.

What’s more, these shops also each run apprenticeships to train local people in the basics of bike maintenance skills so they could then go on and sell their services to people in the community. 

But setting up a new bike shop in Sierra Leone is no small undertaking. 12 months’ rent upfront is required for new shops, often a significant barrier to new businesses opening. They also need tools, materials, bike parts and mechanic training. 

Our team

Karim, Programmes Director

Success Stories

In 2024, the bike shop programme expanded its reach across Sierra Leone, now supporting six shops, as well as mechanics and apprentices. The initiative benefits young men and boys by providing a small income and fostering a sense of community through cycling.

The programme combines mechanical and business skills with financial support and start up resources to create meaningful opportunities for young people.

How you can support the project

With the support of our valued partners, including the Sierra Leone Cycling Foundation, Re-Cycle, the Village Bicycle Project, and Africa Rising Cycling, we hope to expand to two or three more shops in 2025!

We want to support a minimum of 4 existing bike shops to grow their businesses and open a further 4 new locations. We plan to do this by: 

  • Paying the first 12 months of rent on the understanding that the bike shop will take on the cost once it’s up and running. 

  • Offering training and support via our local business officers on business acumen and profit and loss to support the shops to reach savings goals

  • Providing tools and equipment through our partners including the Village Bicycle Project and Africa Rising Cycling. 

  • Putting on a comprehensive skills workshop to ensure that all shops have a trained bike mechanic able to disseminate skills to apprentices in their shops. 

Each bike shop expansion costs £1000. Why not group together with friends, family or work colleagues to take on a cycling challenge and fundraise?

Want to go the extra mile? Help us set up a new bike shop that will benefit a whole community by raising £4000!