Matt Turner, Pedal Upcycle
Trust your own judgement more than anyone else’s ...
Small ideas can do big things. When an employee at Brisbane’s 99 Bikes had the idea of helping out those less fortunate by donating neglected bicycles to be used as transport, the idea struck a chord. Following a hook-up with Melbourne charity Bikes 4 Life, the idea gained traction, spreading through the suburbs and snagging the hearts of locals. The Pedal Upcycle campaign has already seen more than 100 bikes donated, which will soon make their way to underprivileged families and youth in Cape York and northern Uganda. In return, donators receive a discount on the store’s new Pedal Bikes range. The Weekend Edition dropped in to 99 Bikes this week to chat to founder and managing director Matt Turner about the initiative.
What can you tell us about the Pedal Upcycle campaign?
It’s a small way that 99 Bikes and Bikes 4 Life are facilitating getting a better use for old bikes, which are probably lying around or being under-utilised. Pedal Upcycle created a reason for people to give the bikes a second chance and a new purpose that could be valuable or life changing to someone less privileged.
What are your goals?
Three hundred bikes is the target number, but that’s fairly arbitrary. The goal is mainly to learn about how we can help more in changing lives with bikes, both in a charity sense and across the whole business. Likewise, really engaging our staff and customers to take part and be excited about it.
How did you go about choosing the two destination points, a remote community in Cape York and a village in northern Uganda?
We’re really just helping facilitate the good work already being done by Bikes 4 Life. We spent quite a long time choosing the organisation to partner with for Upcycle, and we really believe in what Bikes 4 Life are doing. The Uganda and Cape York projects were two they had already identified, and we felt we could contribute to. We learnt through Bikes 4 Life the valuable impact that bikes can have that we often forget. In Uganda, for example, they’ll be used to give people access to food, water, education, medical treatment and marketplaces to sell goods.
What can Brisbane residents do to help out the campaign?
Donate their old bikes, still in working order, at any of our stores, which then allows them to pick up a new one from our Pedal Bikes range at a heavy discount. So from that perspective, both us and the customer are contributing significantly to the donations.
When was the seed first planted for this idea?
Wayne, who is in charge of our marketing, had the idea. We also recently came together as a group and clarified the purpose of our business ultimately is to be changing lives through bikes. So when the idea was put forward, our store managers were very enthusiastic in their support of it!
You opened the first 99 Bikes store in Milton back in 2007, how have you seen the cycling culture in Brisbane change over the past seven years?
I don’t think it’s changed too much, slowly growing each year in all different categories, including commuting, road, triathlon, MTB, BMX and family bikes.
And what is there still left to do to improve the situation for cyclists?
Bike lanes and increased respect and space from all road and path users.
What’s the most memorable ride you’ve ever been on?
Brisbane to Coolum with a good friend, over Mount Mee backroads and through pineapple plantations. Following Google Maps got us off the right track several times, leading to an extended adventure!
What words of wisdom can you share with those who dream of launching their own business?
Trust your own judgement more than anyone else’s.
What’s your definition of success?
Achieving the goals you set yourself.
Only a Brisbane local would know that … John Millman is the next big thing for Australian tennis.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Riding up Mount Coot-tha.
Relax … Palace Centro Cinemas, Fortitude Valley.
Dine … Mighty Mighty cue & brew, Fortitude Valley.
Catch-up … Spoon, Fortitude Valley.
Be inspired … Riding up Mount Nebo.