Adam Markham (Banksia Grove). Photo: Martin Kennealey
Camera IconAdam Markham (Banksia Grove). Photo: Martin Kennealey Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Banksia Grove dad recycles hundreds of bikes to pay forward

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

ADAM Markham spends his spare time repairing bikes to give away.

Over the past two years, the Banksia Grove resident has given away 375 bicycles through the Pay It Forward Northern Suburbs Facebook group.

Mr Markham said the initiative started in May 2016 when his wife brought home a bike found on a verge collection and asked if he could do anything with it.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“I managed to fix it that night and decided I would pay it forward,” he said.

“The next day I went out to where she had found the first bike and collected six more and that’s when I got hooked.

“I loved doing it; it reminded me of my childhood when I would do a similar thing with my dad.”

Having learnt to repair and service bikes from his father, Mr Markham thought it was be a great way to teach his children life skills.

“My son Tobias became my official bike tester of the smaller bikes and repairer of punctures and flat tyres,” he said.

“I hoped by involving my kids in this hobby it would teach them some morals in life of giving to others and not expecting something in return. “

Mr Markham said some bikes he received were used for parts rather than repaired and he tried to keep costs for his hobby at a no or a low cost to himself.

“ I have given away 375 in just over two years,” he said.

“The bikes I restore and give away are either found on council verge collection or are donated to me before they end up on the verge.

“All of the bikes are fixed, serviced and tested before they are posted on the Pay It Forward Northern Suburbs site.”

After receiving the highest number of votes from shoppers, Mr Markham received the major prize in Banksia Grove Village’s Captains of Community program – a $1000 Accor Hotels voucher.

Finalists Carramar Football Club president Denis Cleary and Banksia Grove Residents Association president Michael Richards also received $200 and $100 Accor vouchers respectively.