It all started when Tim, the bicycle mechanic, sent an Instagram message to Hutt St Centre.

“I’m looking to give back to the community. If you think there would be capacity for me to come repair bikes, I would be more than happy to do that.”

Fast forward almost a year, and Tim has repaired over 100 bikes for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Riding a bike is an essential form of transport for many people without a home. It’s more affordable than a car, and less tiring than walking long distances in unpredictable weather.

But when things go wrong, professional repairs are expensive and out of reach for many.

That’s where Tim comes in, repairing bikes at Hutt St Centre every fortnight and teaching riders how to fix their own bikes when problems strike. One avid rider shared:

“Getting around on secondhand bikes means things go wrong pretty often. When you’re living rough, having the skills to just fix your own bike is massive. It’s like the saying of how teaching a man to fish will feed him for a lifetime, same goes with maintaining your own bike.”

Helping at Hutt St Centre has also been a transformative experience for Tim.

“Personally, I’m so passionate about cycling because it helped me with my mental health. So that’s why I do what I do. I’m willing to teach anyone the skills, and when I’m fixing a bike most people come up close to watch and learn.”

“It’s been eye-opening that it doesn’t take much for people to lose their home. I’m changing the trajectory of my life too; I’m studying a Diploma of Community Services now.”

“My initial perspective of Hutt St Centre was I thought people just like come in, have your lunch, and then getting out of here. But there’s also music groups and all sorts of social programs.”

Thanks to your support, people experiencing homelessness can get Tim’s help to ride safely with confidence and maintain their independence.