Changing lives one bike at a time through up-cycling and donating bikes to those less fortunate, and a learning space including schools and community bike ambassador training.

My name is Chris Foggin, and I am the founder and managing director of the Up-Cycles Charitable Trust (Charity Services CC61680).

The Up-Cycles project was born out of my passion for riding bikes and decades of experience in all corners of the bike industry. I am a former police officer and subsequently was the Education Manager for Cycling New Zealand for 10 years and the General Manager at Cycling Southland. More recently, I have been working in the cycle tourism space in our region. I know cycling, all its benefits, and understand how to fill the gaps for those who are less fortunate and may not have the same opportunities that others have.

We are finding local solutions to local problems, and we rely on sponsorship by local trusts, community boards, or government agencies.

Central Otago is already recognised as a great place to ride a bike, with millions of dollars coming into the community from cycle tourism. We have the potential to be the best place on Earth to ride a bike; however, there are some gaps.

We have members of our community (children, young people, and adults) who don’t have the capability to own or ride a bike. These gaps may exist due to reasons such as socio-economic challenges, health and wellbeing issues, transport needs for school or work, wanting to try cycling as a sport for the first time, or being a migrant or refugee who may need a hand-up. And that’s my philosophy: “It’s a hand-up, not a hand-out.”

The Up-Cycles project was formed to close those gaps and provide refurbished donated bikes to those in need. My preference is to distribute the bikes through official organisations, and I have already been able to provide bikes through many social service organisations and schools.

Many community members and organisations have donated bikes and parts.

The story continues with our Community of Bike Ambassadors (COBA) programme. There is so much more we are working on, including the Waka Kotahi (NZTA) BikeReady programme, bike safety and skills education, COBA, promoting sustainable transport and waste reduction, and transferring skills—whether that’s teaching people how to maintain their bikes or creating interest in working in the bike industry.

“Changing Lives One Bike at a Time!”