Photo credit © Serhii_Nuzhnenko_Radio Svoboda
Since 2022, challenges like fuel shortages and an interrupted public transport system have made bicycles the most practical, accessible and equitable form of transport for Ukrainians in the cities most affected by Russian military aggression. Launched in May 2022, the #BikesForUkraine campaign has provided dearly needed support to frontline and de-occupied communities, providing bicycles to deliver urgent humanitarian aid like food and medication, enabling critical service workers to reach those in need, and providing displaced persons, veterans and the with invaluable independence and mobility.
Since its inception, the #BikesForUkraine campaign has received 5,567 requests for bicycles from volunteer centres, municipalities, NGOs and community groups across Ukraine. Although demand has exceeded supply the campaign has delivered more than 3,000 bicycles to nearly 100 communities.
An international movement
The campaign is coordinated by U-Cycle (Kyiv Cyclists’ Association) and supported by more than 90 ambassadors in 20 countries across Europe and North America. Ambassadors include NGOs, cycling communities, businesses, city municipalities, international and European institutions and individuals. Some collect and repair second-hand bicycles, such as Changing Cities activists in Berlin or European Commission staff in Brussels. Others, like the national cycling advocacy organisation in Sweden, fellow ECF member Cykelfrämjandet, have donated in support of the campaign. Major bicycle manufacturers like Trek Bicycle Corporation in the United States and Decathlon in Poland have also donated new bicycles to the campaign.
Some individual contributions are particularly memorable. “A resident of the Dutch town Arjen collected as many bicycles in his town as could fit into a rented minibus and brought them to Ukraine”, recounts Svitlana Samikova, coordinator of #BikesForUkraine at U-Cycle. “We thank all the ambassadors and appreciate every contribution to the campaign."
This summer, another truck full of bikes arrived in Kyiv from Amsterdam. The truck brought a new batch of 265 used bicycles from the Amsterdam municipal storage facility, sourced by volunteers from the Bike4UA initiative. Dutch volunteer Cees van den Rhee explains: “I wanted to help in some way. Bikes abandoned on the streets [in Amsterdam] end up in a depot run by the municipality. I contacted the Amsterdam City Hall and they supported the idea. We have sent 1,350 bikes to Ukraine, including directly to a rehabilitation centre for veterans in Lviv. This makes us very satisfied”.
A campaign built on local volunteers
Once they arrive, the donated bicycles are repaired in volunteer workshops in Kyiv, Chernihiv and Odesa before being distributed to communities in need. In Chernihiv NGO Eco City has refurbished and distributed nearly 1,000 bicycles to social workers, medics and volunteers. “We are experiencing a bicycle boom,” says Serhiy Bezborodko of Eco City, “I am very happy to see how bicycles are changing our cities for the better.”
In Kyiv, the Brave Bicycles repair shop organise weekly gatherings supported by U-Cycle. Here volunteers spend their free time repairing bicycles before they are sent to communities in need. “Bicycles are my passion.” says U-Cycle and #BikesForUkraine volunteer and experienced bike mechanic Yegor Kolyadenko. “I know everything there is to know about bicycle repair and can teach others. The more people there are, the faster we can repair bicycles and give them to those who need them most right now”.
A symbol of resilience and dignity
The restored bikes are distributed to communities across Ukraine, with a priority to areas near the frontline and recently liberated territories. The uses of the bikes are as diverse as the needs. In Chernihiv, a cargo bike now powers Library Without Borders, a project bringing books to children in parks and schools. In Odessa, the Dream Bike project donates bicycles to children from military and displaced families. In a Kherson region community just 10 kilometres from occupied territory, more than 300 bicycles have been given to social workers, medical professionals fire-fighters and other community staff: “Providing for Internally Displaced Persons is a matter of mobility”, explains Andreiy Seletsky, head of Novovorontsovka military administration. “We do not forget about our guests, people who have often lost everything they had”.
Social and medical workers, policemen and volunteers receive bikes
How can you help?
Donate new or used bikes, spare parts or funds, or volunteer for collection initiatives in your city or at our repair workshops in Kyiv, Chernihiv and Odesa.
You can donate via the following bank details:
Kyiv Cyclists’ Association (USD)
Beneficiary Bank: JSC CB “PRIVATBANK”, KYIV, UKRAINE
SWIFT/ BIC code: PBANUA2X
Beneficiary Name: Kyiv Cyclists’ Association
IBAN: UA433052990000026000026236572
Purpose of payment: Non-refundable financial assistance (charitable assistance)
Find out more about #BikesForUkraine on the U-Cycle website and on Instagram BikesForUkraine.
Article adapted from original in Ukrainian: https://u-cycle.org.ua/news/bikesforukraine-iak-velosypedy-dopomahaiut-ukraintsiam-zalyshatysia-stiykymy-pid-chas-viyny/
Since 2022, challenges like fuel shortages and an interrupted public transport system have made bicycles the most practical, accessible and equitable form of transport for Ukrainians in the cities most affected by Russian military aggression. Launched in May 2022, the #BikesForUkraine campaign has provided dearly needed support to frontline and de-occupied communities, providing bicycles to deliver urgent humanitarian aid like food and medication, enabling critical service workers to reach those in need, and providing displaced persons, veterans and the with invaluable independence and mobility.
Since its inception, the #BikesForUkraine campaign has received 5,567 requests for bicycles from volunteer centres, municipalities, NGOs and community groups across Ukraine. Although demand has exceeded supply the campaign has delivered more than 3,000 bicycles to nearly 100 communities.
An international movement
The campaign is coordinated by U-Cycle (Kyiv Cyclists’ Association) and supported by more than 90 ambassadors in 20 countries across Europe and North America. Ambassadors include NGOs, cycling communities, businesses, city municipalities, international and European institutions and individuals. Some collect and repair second-hand bicycles, such as Changing Cities activists in Berlin or European Commission staff in Brussels. Others, like the national cycling advocacy organisation in Sweden, fellow ECF member Cykelfrämjandet, have donated in support of the campaign. Major bicycle manufacturers like Trek Bicycle Corporation in the United States and Decathlon in Poland have also donated new bicycles to the campaign.
Some individual contributions are particularly memorable. “A resident of the Dutch town Arjen collected as many bicycles in his town as could fit into a rented minibus and brought them to Ukraine”, recounts Svitlana Samikova, coordinator of #BikesForUkraine at U-Cycle. “We thank all the ambassadors and appreciate every contribution to the campaign."
Volunteers of Bike4UA in Amsterdam // Unloading of bike truck from Amsterdam in Kyiv – July 4, 2025
This summer, another truck full of bikes arrived in Kyiv from Amsterdam. The truck brought a new batch of 265 used bicycles from the Amsterdam municipal storage facility, sourced by volunteers from the Bike4UA initiative. Dutch volunteer Cees van den Rhee explains: “I wanted to help in some way. Bikes abandoned on the streets [in Amsterdam] end up in a depot run by the municipality. I contacted the Amsterdam City Hall and they supported the idea. We have sent 1,350 bikes to Ukraine, including directly to a rehabilitation centre for veterans in Lviv. This makes us very satisfied”.
A campaign built on local volunteers
Once they arrive, the donated bicycles are repaired in volunteer workshops in Kyiv, Chernihiv and Odesa before being distributed to communities in need. In Chernihiv NGO Eco City has refurbished and distributed nearly 1,000 bicycles to social workers, medics and volunteers. “We are experiencing a bicycle boom,” says Serhiy Bezborodko of Eco City, “I am very happy to see how bicycles are changing our cities for the better.”
In Kyiv, the Brave Bicycles repair shop organise weekly gatherings supported by U-Cycle. Here volunteers spend their free time repairing bicycles before they are sent to communities in need. “Bicycles are my passion.” says U-Cycle and #BikesForUkraine volunteer and experienced bike mechanic Yegor Kolyadenko. “I know everything there is to know about bicycle repair and can teach others. The more people there are, the faster we can repair bicycles and give them to those who need them most right now”.
A symbol of resilience and dignity
The restored bikes are distributed to communities across Ukraine, with a priority to areas near the frontline and recently liberated territories. The uses of the bikes are as diverse as the needs. In Chernihiv, a cargo bike now powers Library Without Borders, a project bringing books to children in parks and schools. In Odessa, the Dream Bike project donates bicycles to children from military and displaced families. In a Kherson region community just 10 kilometres from occupied territory, more than 300 bicycles have been given to social workers, medical professionals fire-fighters and other community staff: “Providing for Internally Displaced Persons is a matter of mobility”, explains Andreiy Seletsky, head of Novovorontsovka military administration. “We do not forget about our guests, people who have often lost everything they had”.
Social and medical workers, policemen and volunteers receive bikes
How can you help?
Donate new or used bikes, spare parts or funds, or volunteer for collection initiatives in your city or at our repair workshops in Kyiv, Chernihiv and Odesa.
You can donate via the following bank details:
Kyiv Cyclists’ Association (EUR)
Beneficiary Bank: JSC CB “PRIVATBANK”, KYIV, UKRAINE
SWIFT/ BIC code: PBANUA2X
Beneficiary Name: Kyiv Cyclists’ Association
IBAN: UA903052990000026006016232591
Purpose of payment: Non-refundable financial assistance (charitable assistance)
Beneficiary Bank: JSC CB “PRIVATBANK”, KYIV, UKRAINE
SWIFT/ BIC code: PBANUA2X
Beneficiary Name: Kyiv Cyclists’ Association
IBAN: UA903052990000026006016232591
Purpose of payment: Non-refundable financial assistance (charitable assistance)
Kyiv Cyclists’ Association (USD)
Beneficiary Bank: JSC CB “PRIVATBANK”, KYIV, UKRAINE
SWIFT/ BIC code: PBANUA2X
Beneficiary Name: Kyiv Cyclists’ Association
IBAN: UA433052990000026000026236572
Purpose of payment: Non-refundable financial assistance (charitable assistance)
Find out more about #BikesForUkraine on the U-Cycle website and on Instagram BikesForUkraine.
Article adapted from original in Ukrainian: https://u-cycle.org.ua/news/bikesforukraine-iak-velosypedy-dopomahaiut-ukraintsiam-zalyshatysia-stiykymy-pid-chas-viyny/
