Second Chance Cycles has been recycling bicycles, teaching bike mechanics, and giving away free bikes to people who need them since 2009.

Since its beginning, the workshop has supported more than 2,800 people on community corrections orders to recycle and repair more than 6,500 secondhand bicycles.

Second Chance Cycles provides a supportive learning space for people on community corrections orders or day release from prison, those who want advice on how to maintain their bikes, and anyone who enjoys tinkering. Participants build practical skills, recycle discarded bicycles, and provide affordable reconditioned bicycles to members of the local Collingwood community.

Second Chance Cycles operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 AM and 4 PM (closed for lunch between 1 PM - 2 PM) and is located in the underground carpark opposite the Housing Victoria Estate on Harmsworth Street in Collingwood.

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How it works

Community corrections orders help keep people out of the cycle of prison. By completing court-ordered volunteer hours in their communities, people on community corrections orders or parole can give back, build skills, and complete their orders. Second Chance Cycles is one place where this happens.

What started as a place for people to complete work requirements quickly transformed into a small community hub. Participants work hands-on in a real workshop, with real tools, on real bikes, learning practical mechanical skills. But they also work around others. They deal with customers, contribute to a team, and make sure the workshop is clean, safe and hygienic. Coming together, participants fulfil the hours required of their orders, while building the skills and confidence for a new chance at work. They can graduate from the workshop with hundreds of hours of hands-on experience and the confidence to seek employment at the end of their orders.

“Nice, kind and skilled guys helping the underprivileged getting a pushbike and fixing their bikes.” – David, customer.

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More information 

Why Second Chance Cycles

Hands-on work in a supportive community team turns mandatory community service hours into something more meaningful.

Eligibility

Any person sentenced to a community corrections order or on day release from prison is eligible to request a position at Second Chance Cycles.

Referrals

Participants are referred by Community Corrections staff to Vacro.

Support

Second Chance Cycles is made possible by the generous support of the Armour Family Endowment, the RACV Community Foundation, the Inner North Foundation, and the City of Yarra.

Media

Where does your hard rubbish go?, Yarra City News, 3 November 2021

Meet Victoria's second-hand bicyle peddlers, RACV, 28 August 2019

Cycle of life: Community bike sheds, RACV, 21 November 2018

Local project grant pedals bid to break unhealthy cycle, Herald Sun, 14 August 2013