Our thinking

Re-cycle

26 July, 2024

Just when you thought cycling couldn’t get any better for the world (better physical and mental health, low carbon transport, reduced congestion, to name but a few), along comes XO Bikes.

Not only are they giving bikes a second chance (all bikes are donated, recycled, and fully refurbished), but they’re also helping rebuild lives (all bikes are refurbished by professional bike mechanics who are also all prison leavers).

As the new government starts to look for money down the back of the sofa, the figure of £18 billion a year spent on reoffenders is quite startling. If all prison leavers found jobs, this would fall by 70%. Sure, XO can’t solve the whole problem on its own (though we are sure the new Minister for Prisons James Timpson is a big supporter of XO’s work), but with reoffending rates at less than 5% at XO, it is certainly a step in the right direction.

And to make things even better, you can get an XO bike through the (Re)Cycle to Work Scheme (a workplace tax-free purchase scheme), making cycling a truly affordable option. At Good Business we use Cycle Scheme, which allows our team to buy a new or used bike through the scheme and even rent bikes if ownership isn’t right.

So, with the rain having finally stopped, perhaps now’s the time to pop down to XO Bikes and have a word with Roger and his great team. You could even get a Swag paint job or, if you’re feeling really generous, donate an old bike to give it and a Fixer a second chance at life.

By David Lourie