Why We Believe in Two Wheels Over Four

OYBike’s Sustainable Agenda. 


Sustainability is the buzzword for today and everyone is conscious of doing his or her bit for the environment.

At OYBike we are no different. Clearly bikes have an obvious added advantage over other modes of transport in that they emit no carbon dioxide or other green house gases.

But at OYBike we try to make our environmental credentials stretch a little further.

Making a Difference to City Life

  • Cycling is environmentally friendly. But as well as being pollution-free, a bike option in cities could help reduce the number of journeys currently taken by cars which are emitting the fumes we all want to be rid of.
  • Populations of many cities is set to increase over the coming year, particularly in London where the population is set to grow by 800,000 in the next two decades*. Moving around by car will become less and less viable.
  • Rail networks are running at capacity and there is no room to accommodate bikes. A bike that was available on arrival at a city destination might encourage more people to cycle, alleviating the burden on other public transport systems. 

Providing Invigorating and Healthy Choices

  • Cycling is good for you.  Statistics show that moderate cyclists (not international athletes!) achieve a 48% reduction in risk of death and 2-3 years longer life when they incorporate cycling into their daily lives**.
  • In London alone, it is estimated that 20% of trips could be switched to walking or cycling*.  That switch could be much easier to make if rental bikes were available at key locations. 
  • Cycling boosts fitness.  Even leisurely cycling is better exercise than brisk walking. 
  • You can travel 3 times faster on a bike than you can walk.
  • Other cyclists greet you at traffic lights and comment on the weather – this doesn’t happen on many other modes of transport.

Making a Personal Impact


Re~Cycle: Bicycle Aid for Africa 

At OYBike we try to make a personal commitment to sustainability too.  Every time we upgrade our bicycles, we send the old models to Re~Cycle, a UK registered charity set up to send bikes and spare parts to Africa. Re~Cycle teaches local people to ride and maintain bikes as an alternative form of transport over walking. 

So far, we have sent 41 bikes to Tema in Ghana and have plans to send another batch shortly.

“In Britain, millions of bikes are thrown away or lie unused in sheds, whilst many people in Africa have no access to transport of any kind. Walking can take up-to 4 hours per day (collecting water, or walking to school). The burden can cripple a family, hampering work and education opportunities. A bicycle cuts travel time to a fraction, even carrying passengers and heavy loads. Bikes give families the extra time to earn, learn and enjoy life.”  Re~Cycle, Bicycle Aid for Africa 

Designing for Life


Even though bikes themselves are an environmentally friendly form of transport, we try and think about the implications of the bike itself and even the infrastructure that supports it. 
  • Our bike stands are designed to fix to walls with limited need for large or bulky frames that take up valuable street space.
  • Our stands can run on solar power. 
  • Our bikes are made of lightweight metal
*Source Data: TfL Policy Commission
** Source Data: Cavil Associates, Health Promotion Consultant