R-evolution’s Refurbished Bikes Make Headlines on the BBC

 

We’re proud to share that R-evolution has been featured on the BBC, spotlighting a powerful project that’s transforming abandoned bikes into tools for social and environmental good. 

 

The story, published here on the BBC, highlights how nearly 70 unclaimed bikes from Hull Paragon Station have found a second life thanks to a partnership between TransPennine Express and R-evolution. 

 

Rather than leaving these forgotten bikes to rust, TransPennine Express made the proactive decision to donate them to our team. From there, our skilled mechanics and dedicated volunteers stepped in—refurbishing, repairing, and carefully restoring each one. 

 

These aren’t just bikes. They’re access to transport, opportunities, confidence, and freedom. They’re used in our training programmes to build skills and qualifications. They’re handed back to the community—particularly individuals who need a helping hand. And they represent a tangible step toward reducing waste, encouraging active travel, and building more inclusive transport options. 

The success of this collaboration isn’t just about the number of bikes—it’s about the value we’re adding back into communities. 

 

When a child receives a refurbished bike to ride to school, or someone gains mechanical skills through our training programme, or a resident discovers cycling as a healthy and affordable mode of transport—it changes lives. And it’s these stories that make local authorities, funders, and partners take notice. 

 

The BBC coverage offers national recognition of what we’ve long believed: when you give people tools, training, and trust, amazing things can happen. 

R-evolution has always been about more than bikes. We're about repairing futures, building green skills, and helping people unlock their potential. 

 

Thank you to TransPennine Express for recognising the value in reuse, and thank you to the BBC for helping us share this journey with a wider audience.