Bike Bank Eindhoven: Second-hand bicycles for residents with a low income

Bike Bank Eindhoven uses bicycles that are not collected from the municipal bicycle depot. For refurbishing and distributing the bicycles, the municipality has found a strong partner in Stichting Ervaring die Staat. For a payment of 20 euros, these bicycles become available to Eindhoven residents aged 18 and older with a Meedoen contribution. Annually, 500 bicycles become available.  

Participation starts with mobility

A bicycle is indispensable for many people to participate independently in society. For work, school, shopping, or social contacts, a bicycle offers more freedom and increases accessibility. However, a bicycle is not a given for everyone. With Bike Bank Eindhoven, the municipality wants to lower this barrier and contribute to equal opportunities, health, and sustainable mobility.

Robert Strijk, Alderman for Mobility: ‘Cycling offers people opportunities, freedom, and the possibility to fully participate in our city. But not everyone in our city has a bicycle. Bike Bank Eindhoven therefore aligns with the broader ambition of the municipality to make cycling accessible to everyone.’

Collaboration

For repairing, preparing for use, and distributing the bicycles, the municipality of Eindhoven collaborates with Stichting Ervaring die Staat. In the bicycle workshop of Ervaring die Staat at Kanaaldijk-Noord, the bicycles are refurbished by volunteers who love technology and tinkering. They are guided by a master craftsman. In this way, Bike Bank Eindhoven combines making bicycles available with social impact, learning workplaces, and daytime activities.

Additionally, this approach contributes to circularity: materials and bicycles get a second life and are used sustainably within the city.

Els Keet, director of Stichting Ervaring die Staat: ‘For us, the collaboration in Bike Bank Eindhoven is a beautiful next step. We can further grow our bicycle workshop, give more people a place to help and learn, and at the same time make more people happy with a good bicycle. So it really cuts both ways.’

Part of a broader Eindhoven cycling ecosystem

Bike Bank Eindhoven works with partners such as WIJeindhoven and Werkplaats Financiën to inform and support residents. There is also a close connection with Fietsschool040. Residents who cannot yet (safely) cycle first follow free cycling lessons at Fietsschool040 for their own safety and that of other road users. After completing these lessons, they can purchase a bicycle through the Bike Bank.