Toowoomba Regional Council is giving away eight broken bicycles to homeless men.
The move is part of a pilot program led by the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Toowoomba Hostel Crisis Accommodation Program.
The initiative will see men experiencing homelessness restore bicycles dumped at the region’s waste facilities.
Councillor Melissa Taylor said the program reflected the council’s commitment to social connection, dignity, and circular economy principles.
“This is a simple idea with a powerful impact,” Cr Taylor said.
“By restoring bicycles that might otherwise end up as waste, participants are not only learning hands‑on skills, they’re also rebuilding confidence, independence, and a sense of purpose.”
The initial donation of eight bikes will allow St Vincent de Paul Society to trial the program locally.
Participants will repair the bicycles and keep the bike they restore, providing both transport and a tangible achievement.
If the pilot proves successful, the program will expand to provide refurbished bicycles to underprivileged community members on an ongoing basis.
Cr Taylor said the program aligned strongly with the council’s waste‑reduction goals and community values.
“This is exactly the kind of partnership that shows how re-use can change lives,” she said. “We’re not just diverting materials from the waste stream, we’re helping create opportunities for people who need them most.”
“Shaun” from St Vincent de Paul’s Housing and Homelessness Program said the initiative would help transform lives.
“Every repaired chain and tightened bolt reflects a step toward stability, mental well-being, and renewed purpose,’’ he said.
“What begins with restoring bikes becomes something far greater, rebuilding confidence, purpose, and connection for men finding their way back into community.”