About Us
UpCycle Florimont
Located in Geneva, Switzerland, we are a community-focused organization committed to promoting sustainability and social inclusion through the collection, repair, and redistribution of second-hand bicycles. We strive to give new life to abandoned or unused bikes by restoring them to safe and functional condition, and then providing them to individuals and families who may not have access to reliable transportation.
Our primary mission is not only to reduce waste and encourage environmentally friendly mobility, but also to support those in vulnerable situations by offering them a practical and sustainable means of getting around. By raising public awareness of our work, we hope to inspire greater community engagement, promote cycling as a viable alternative to motorized transport, and foster a more inclusive, eco-conscious urban environment.
Through local partnerships, volunteer engagement, and educational outreach, UpCycle Florimont aims to be a catalyst for positive change
Collecting Bikes
Thanks to generous donations from partner organizations, local businesses, and individual contributors, we are able to collect a wide range of bicycles, which we then carefully store and catalog at our institute. These donations form the backbone of our initiative, enabling us to repair and refurbish the bikes before redistributing them to those in need.
Workshops
The bicycles we collect are often in rough or unusable condition—many have been abandoned, left exposed to the elements, or simply worn down over time. As a result, they require extensive repairs and maintenance before they can be safely and effectively returned to use. To manage this, we organize hands-on repair workshops multiple times throughout the year. These workshops are collaborative events that bring together a diverse group of people, including skilled volunteers, students, and members of the local community, all united by a common goal: to restore these bikes to working condition.
During these sessions, participants learn valuable repair techniques, share knowledge, and engage in meaningful teamwork, transforming what might otherwise be discarded items into reliable, sustainable modes of transportation. The workshops not only extend the life of the bicycles but also provide an opportunity to raise awareness about environmental sustainability, promote social inclusion, and strengthen community bonds. By breathing new life into old bikes, we help foster a circular economy while empowering individuals with mobility and independence.
Giving bikes to people in need
The final stage of our project involves close collaboration with charitable and humanitarian associations throughout Geneva. Once the bicycles have been fully repaired, inspected, and deemed roadworthy, we distribute them to these trusted partner organizations. These associations play a vital role in identifying individuals and families who are most in need, whether they are experiencing financial hardship, social isolation, or difficulties accessing public transportation.
By entrusting our refurbished bikes to these groups, we ensure that they reach the right hands and have a meaningful, practical impact. The bicycles are then delivered across the city to help recipients gain greater freedom of movement, access essential services, commute to work or school, and integrate more easily into daily life. This final step reflects the heart of our mission: using sustainable mobility as a tool for social equity and inclusion.