Malaysian eco-charity platform organises bicycle donation drive for B40 students

These bicycles will be fixed and distributed to students from low-income communities in Sik, Kedah and Bachok, Kelantan. Photos: Rahmat Bayudi

Breathing new life into pre-loved bicycles and giving them to new grateful owners: that's what the Cycle to School initiative is all about.

Organised by Shah Alam, Selangor-based eco-charity platform EcoFreeMarket (EFM), the bicycle donation drive aims to collect used or pre-loved bicycles for students from low-income communities in Sik, Kedah and Bachok, Kelantan.

To date, EFM's co-founder Rahmat Bayudi said they have received 70 bicycles, and he hopes to reach their target of 80 before the donation drive ends on Feb 21 (Monday).

"It is crucial to develop the recycling culture in our community. One person's trash could be another person's treasure.

"We may not see the use of an old bicycle but for some children living in rural areas, the bicycle is a necessity. Instead of walking, these children can cycle to school to get an education. For these underprivileged kids, it would be an absolute joy to own and use a bicycle," said Rahmat in an email interview recently.

(From left:) Rahmat, Shah Alam City Council councillor Izuan Ahmad Kasim and EcoFreeMarket's co-founder Hisham Misripin.

The bicycles are collected and stored at EFM's temporary hub at Bukit Jelutong in Shah Alam.

EFM was created in 2015 as an eco-charity platform in collaboration with the Shah Alam City Council, Petaling Jaya City Council, TAAT Foundation and Food Aid.

The name 'EcoFreeMarket' initially reflected the local authorities' efforts towards creating a sustainable community and low carbon city initiatives.

Apart from focusing on the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle), EFM has added the element of "repair" as that helps to promote sustainability and reduce waste in landfills.

"There are usually many household items left in our storage unused and bicycles would be among them. We can put them to good use, particularly for school-going children from low-income communities," Rahmat explained.

Some of the bicycles that will be repaired and donated to underprivileged students.

EFM has been organising its bicycle donation campaign annually since 2018. They have so far distributed 170 bicycles to underprivileged students from different parts of Malaysia. EFM works with non-governmental organisations from various states to identify the beneficiaries.

It also works together with volunteer groups Tukang Apa Hari Ini and Kaki Repair to fix the bicycles.

"The mechanics will service the bicycle components and if necessary, change parts that need replacing. The average cost is about RM100 to RM150 per bicycle, and we seek contributions from the public and corporate sector for this purpose," said Rahmat.

EFM regularly reaches out to different groups of people in need. It is also running a Golf Shirts for Fishermen campaign until Feb 28, where golfers can donate their new and preloved shirts to fishermen and farmers in Perak and Kelantan.

During the recent flooding in the Klang Valley, EFM members set up booths in Shah Alam and Hulu Langat to offer free service to flood victims' electrical items damaged during the heavy floods.

There are also plans to focus on Back-To-School initiatives to assist school-going children in the upcoming new school term in March. In addition, EFM will collaborate with Yayasan TAAT to help underprivileged Muslim families towards Ramadan month.

To find out more about the Cycle to School project and EcoFreeMarket, go to its Facebook page. The public can also channel donations to the TAAT Foundation (CIMB Bank: 8600235521) or call 013-331 5157 (Hisham) or 017-886 0045 (Fariez) for more details.