A group of men have been rescuing bikes that have been discarded for scrap or landfill to be reused for a global cause they are all passionate about.
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The saved bicycles are then packed to bring joy to remote and disadvantaged communities in Asia and Africa, and also help create jobs overseas.
The local group Bikes 4 Life has packed 612 different bikes that will be sent to the not-for-profit organisation Bicycle Empowerment Network's Bicycle Empowerment Centres and workshops.
Mechanics based overseas will then service the bikes and scooters to provide to communities and institutions.
"It all started with I used to come here (to the resource Recovery Centre) and see bikes crushed up and not used, saw them crushed or used for scrap," said volunteer Hans Radowitz.
"In the back of my mind, I thought there's got to be a better use for it."
Mr Radowitz then saw a group called Bikes 4 Life broadcasted on a 7.30 program, where the group sent bicycles to Namibia.
The Highlands resident knew he wanted to be involved and discovered a group in Sydney.
He then approached the Resource Recovery Centre and the group have tinkered away there since 2010.
"In the third world, they're a luxury," he said.
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"It's terrible for society to have workable bikes to throw them away, rather than repair them and give them away," said fellow volunteer Dave Johnson.
Pedals, handlebars and wheels are removed and turned to be flat-packed into shipping containers which will then be sent off.
Mr Radowitz said the workshops had other benefits for the community.
"Most shops in remote areas in Namibia [that have] bike shops, also have grocery shops there," he said.
The group has also sent shipping containers full of bikes to remote communities in Kimberley and Kununurra, as well as Halls Creek for a local police initiative with youth.
The positive impacts of the initiative have also been felt by members.
"The camaraderie is a really important part of it," Mr Johnson said.
Bikes 4 Life has also collaborated with other charities based in the region.
Bikes have been supplied to the not-for-profit Reviva, which aims to reduce waste and repurpose items and the independent group The Good Young in Bundanoon.
They have also received donations from far and wide - businesses have brought in bicycle parts that can be sent off to the mechanics, and the Goulburn Men's Shed has donated bikes.
Members of the community have also contacted the group with bicycles to pick up.
Bikes 4 Life has donated and distributed over 6000 bikes since it began in the region, and usually send about one-and-a-half shipping containers every year.
Mr Radowitz has been currently volunteering alongside Mr Johnson, Greg Olsen, John Pearce, Josh Truscott, Jeff Appleton and Dick Boonham
He was thankful for the support from the Resource Recovery Centre and other groups and members of the community.
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