Royal Navy Kicks Off Bicycle Recycling Hub at Portsmouth Naval Base
The Royal Navy has teamed up with social enterprise Bicycle Recycling to launch a brand-new Cycle Hub inside HM Naval Base Portsmouth. The grand opening coincided with the Elite Matrix Race Series and the Professional Pearl Izumi cycle race in the city, drawing top cycling talent and local fans alike.
Star Cyclists Back Naval Base’s New Cycle Hub
Elite riders Lydia Boylan, the reigning Irish Road Race Champion, and Hannah Walker, British Cycling North West Champion, praised the Navy and Portsmouth for embracing cycling in all its forms. They joined Base Executive Officer Commander Andy Green and Bicycle Recycling CEO Charlie Adie to cut the ribbon on the facility.
“The Navy are a great partner to work with and it is fantastic that they are encouraging cycling in this way which benefits everyone plus creates jobs for local young people,” said Charlie Adie, Director of Bicycle Recycling and CEO of youth charity Motiv8.
Cycling, Sustainability, and Jobs for Local Youth
The Cycle Hub aims to encourage sustainable travel among the 14,000 personnel living and working at the Naval Base. It also promotes cycling’s health benefits. This project is the brainchild of Commander Andy Green and marks two years of planning with Bicycle Recycling to create a sustainable, long-term venture.
What the Cycle Hub Offers
- Servicing & Repairs
- Recycling & Sales
- Maintenance Training
- Bike Hire
Bikes sold at the Hub are refurbished from donated stock and come with a three-month warranty. Unsold bikes are either shipped to Africa or dismantled for parts, ensuring everything is responsibly recycled.
Supporting Youth and Community Through Cycling
Bicycle Recycling is a social enterprise owned by youth charity Motiv8, with profits funneled back to support local young people. The enterprise also runs training and job programs including work experience, a Bike Maintenance Academy in partnership with Highbury College, traineeships, and apprenticeships, raising skills and opportunities for the next generation.
