Bike Yard Kāpiti backed by council to rescue old bikes from landfill
20 Jan 2026
Building the foundation
The first year for BYK has been a journey of "getting the basics right." The team has focused on establishing a solid operational base, including creating a dedicated container fit-out and developing the systems needed to manage a community resource effectively.
With this groundwork complete, they are now ready to shift gears. In their second year, BYK intends to scale their impact and are hoping to offer bike maintenance workshops and community bike education, empowering locals to not just ride, but to understand and care for their own equipment.
How you can help: Donate your bike
BYK’s success depends on community generosity. If you have an unused bicycle gathering dust, you can turn it into someone’s primary transport. The team is looking for usable bikes in reasonable condition. While volunteers can handle minor repairs and replacement of components—like replacing chains, cogs, cables or tyres—they prioritise bikes with minimal rust and damage to ensure they can be efficiently refurbished. Bikes that are not suitable for refurbishing or stripping for parts can be dropped off at no charge and are recycled through the facilities on their partner site, Otaihanga Zero Waste adjacent to the transfer station on Otaihanga Road.
Gear up for the Aotearoa Bike Challenge
With the Aotearoa Bike Challenge running throughout February, there is no better time to get involved. This national event encourages Kiwis to ride for just 10 minutes to win prizes and boost wellbeing. If you have a bike to donate, your contribution could be the very ride that helps a neighbour take part in this year's challenge!
Interested in applying for a Waste Levy Grant?
Waste Levy Grants support projects that help reduce waste and increase reuse, recycling, and recovery activities across the Kāpiti Coast. The grants are funded through Waste Levy fees paid by waste disposal operators to the Ministry for the Environment and allocated to councils to administer, with no rates funding involved.
For 2026 a new year-round small community 'Less Waste' grants category launches in Autumn, accompanied by increased funding pools for both larger community projects and for business.
If you have an idea that could help minimise waste in our community, check out the link below or contact our Waste Projects team staff who will be happy to schedule a call or meet to answer any questions prior to considering an application at [email protected].