Re-Cycle, the Essex-based charity that gives unwanted bikes a new lease of life, has announced a major new partnership with Center Parcs, which will see more than 1,000 bicycles donated in 2026 to support communities overseas.
The partnership will involve retired bikes from Center Parcs’ UK villages being collected by Re-Cycle and distributed to trusted partners in Africa. The first shipment has already landed in The Gambia, with further collections planned throughout the year.
Founded to reduce waste and increase access to affordable transport, Re-Cycle works by collecting unwanted bikes from across the UK and redistributing them where they can have the greatest impact. The charity’s warehouse and volunteer hub supports the preparation of thousands of bikes each year, turning unwanted bicycles into tools for education, employment and everyday life.
The partnership was marked at Center Parcs Elveden Forest, where a striking large-scale bike installation was created using 200 donated bicycles, highlighting the scale of the commitment
Charlotte Ward, Director at Re-Cycle, said: “This is a hugely significant partnership for us and a brilliant example of how organisations can work together to create real, lasting impact. These bikes are in great condition, thanks to the bicycle mechanics at Center Parcs, and will go on to change lives. We’re incredibly proud to be working with Center Parcs on this.”
Since the partnership began, nearly 500 bikes have already been donated, with more scheduled for collection in 2026 as Center Parcs refreshes its cycling fleets.
For Re-Cycle, the partnership represents “not only a major environmental win by keeping bikes in use, but also a strong endorsement of the charity’s model and impact”.
About Re-Cycle
Re-Cycle is an Essex-based charity dedicated to collecting unwanted bicycles and shipping them to rural communities in Africa. There bikes are refurbished and distributed by local partner organisations to provide essential access to education, healthcare, jobs and community services.
Since 1998, Re-Cycle has sent over 160,000 bikes to Africa—offering sustainable mobility solutions that change lives.
