ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Sam White, Head of Charity at RideOn, tells the story of Exeter's quayside bike charity: from a garden shed in Teignmouth in 2011 to over eleven and a half thousand donated, refurbished and rehomed bikes. He makes the case for why cycling infrastructure, not just enthusiasm, is what will change how a city moves.
Sam joined as a volunteer when RideOn was still based behind in Marsh Barton, and is now Head of Charity.
The core of the operation is the workshop: donated bikes come in, are triaged, and where possible rebuilt by volunteers learning alongside qualified mechanics, then sold at affordable prices.
Ride On also runs a free bike scheme for people referred by food banks, charities or schools; a women's workshop; bring-your-own-bike sessions where tools and advice are free to use; a school programme that has seen students who struggle elsewhere show up every week and teach their parents how to fix a derailleur by the end of term; and Joy Rides, led rides running along the Exe estuary, Topsham and the canal basin.
Get Involved
- Ride On website
- Joy Rides -- free led rides, book online
- Donate money via Just Giving
- Visit the workshop: 61 Haven Road, Exeter EX2 8DP. Just past the climbing centre on the left. Phone: 07544 314749.
- Bring Your Own Bike: Wednesdays 3pm to 8pm, donation-based. Call ahead to book: the team will check the session is right for what you are working on.
- Maintenance courses (brakes, gears, puncture repair): Thursday evenings, £30 for approximately two hours. Book via rideoncycling.org.
- Women's Workshop: check the website or social media for upcoming dates.
- Volunteer in the workshop: applications always open. No bike knowledge needed -- just enthusiasm.
- Donate a bike: drop it to 61 Haven Road in any condition. Exmouth residents can call Exmouth Town Council (01395 276167) for a collection.
