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Thursday 7 May 2026

Edinburgh Waverley donates abandoned bicycles to local cycling charity

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Edinburgh Waverley station is supporting sustainable travel and local communities through a renewed partnership with The Bike Station, a charity dedicated to making cycling accessible to everyone.

Each year, dozens of bicycles are left unclaimed at Scotland’s busiest railway station. Over the past two years alone, more than 60 bikes have been abandoned after efforts were made to reunite them with their owners.

Bicycles can be stored in the station’s cycle racks for up to two weeks. After this period, warning notices are issued before bikes are moved into secure storage, where they are held for six months. If they still go unclaimed, they’re passed on for reuse.

The Bike Station is a charity that recycles donated bicycles, refurbishes them, and sells them at affordable prices. Proceeds are reinvested into projects that help people across Scotland access cycling, alongside maintenance classes, training courses, and affordable repair services.

The first uplift under the refreshed partnership took place on 22 April, with around 30 bicycles collected and transferred to Polmont Prison, where they will be serviced and cleaned as part of the refurbishment process.

The partnership will help reduce clutter at the station’s heavily used cycle racks while supporting sustainable transport, skills development, and wider community benefits.

Aaron Patrick, customer service assistant at Edinburgh Waverley, said: “We know not everyone can afford a brand-new bike, and having the chance to cycle can make a big difference to people’s everyday lives.

We work closely with communities across our network, so it’s great to support organisations like The Bike Station, which help people get around in a more affordable and sustainable way, while also building confidence.”

Sasha Taylor, CEO of The Bike Station, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with our colleagues at Edinburgh Waverley again. The Bike Station originated in Waverley Station many years ago and the impact of working together is as relevant now as it was then.

“Recently our team collected 40 bikes which will be refurbished and made available through our free to access bikes programme, Kids Bike Life, which enables more families to choose cycling in our city".