OUR ECO SOCIAL MISSION
- Posted on
Frontline Bikes, a social enterprise based in Inchicore, Dublin 8, was founded in 2020 by Frontline Make Change, a long-established addiction support organisation working across Dublin 8, 12, and the North Inner City.
Our Eco-Social Mission: Sustainability, Second Chances & Circular Solutions
Our Mission Is Two-Fold:
To provide training and employment pathways for people with lived experience of addiction, imprisonment, or long-term unemployment, and
To promote environmental sustainability through bike repair, upcycling, and recycling.
Breaking Barriers Through Meaningful Work
Many of the individuals we support face significant challenges re-entering the workforce due to stigma and lack of opportunity. Frontline Bikes was developed as a pathway to employment, offering real-world skills, structure, and the chance to rebuild confidence through work.
From our bike shop in Inchicore, we provide:
- Affordable bike repairs and servicing for the local community
- Second-hand and upcycled bikes for sale, fully restored and quality-checked
- Employment opportunities for individuals with lived experience, helping them regain independence
“At Frontline Bikes, our team is made up of people who have walked the path - who know what recovery, resilience and rebuilding really mean.”
Accredited Bike Mechanic Training in Dublin
In 2022, we expanded by launching the Frontline Bikes Training & Upcycling Centre in Bluebell, Dublin 12. Here, we deliver City & Guilds Level 1 and 2 Qualifications in Cycle Mechanics — giving participants a formal, accredited route to employment.
Key features of the training programme:
- Hands-on experience using donated bikes
- A strong emphasis on upcycling and sustainability
- Ongoing support from key workers from Frontline Make Change
- Flexible structure to meet the needs of individuals at various stages of recovery
“Some participants are only just beginning to develop a daily routine. Our training is structured to support them wherever they are in their journey - with compassion and accountability.”
Bike Upcycling: Reducing Waste, One Bike at a Time
Globally, 15 million bikes end up in landfills every year. We aim to divert as many of these as possible by giving unwanted bikes a new purpose.
- Salvageable bikes are used in training, repaired, and sold affordably
- Reusable parts from unrepairable bikes are repurposed
- Tyres and tubes are recycled, with plans to expand our recycling initiatives
- All bikes sold are 100% donated and professionally restored by trainees and mechanics
Whether sold in our Dublin 8 bike shop or through our online store, each bike represents a commitment to sustainability and social inclusion.
Eco Impact: Going Beyond EU Waste Targets
The EU Waste Framework Directive sets a target for 55% reuse and recycling of municipal waste by 2025. At Frontline Bikes, we’re proud to say we’re already exceeding that target through:
- Our circular economy business model
- High levels of bike and component reuse
- Active training in sustainable repair practices
- Reduced reliance on virgin materials
From April 2023 to April 2024, Frontline Bikes continued to scale up its environmental efforts, with plans in motion to:
- Introduce a tyre recycling charge for customers
- Further reduce the number of bike tyres and tubes ending up in landfill
- Expand our community outreach and donation network
A Sustainable Future That Includes Everyone
Frontline Bikes isn’t just a bike shop - it’s a place of transformation, for both people and the planet. By choosing us, you’re supporting:
- Lower emissions and less landfill waste
- Meaningful work for people who’ve experienced addiction, prison or unemployment
- Access to free or low-cost training in cycle mechanics
We believe everyone deserves a second chance - and that every bike does too.
Visit Us: Frontline Bikes, 147 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8. Ph: 087 7377737