On any given week at Brainwave Bikes in Melbourne, upwards of 15 young volunteers are hard at work reviving hundreds of used bicycles – from kids’ bikes to road, mountain and high-end models. They dismantle, clean and recycle the bikes into affordable rides for the community, all the while gaining hands-on work experience, new skills and a sense of purpose.

Launched in 2022, this national charity supports young people with neurological injuries and illnesses – Brainwave Bikes is a social enterprise and sustainable business reducing waste and providing meaningful work experience and transitional employment for people within the Brainwave community. Since launching, they’ve sold more than 2100 affordable bicycles to families, students and commuters – something that’s especially important in a cost-of-living crisis. Thanks to their efforts, hundreds of families now have quality, refurbished bicycles so their children can take part in bicycle safety classes, play with their mates and cycle to school.

Recently, we caught up with the Brainwave Bikes team – including the manager and two team members — to hear their stories.

Nick’s story: a renewed sense of purpose

After sustaining an acquired brain injury in a BMX bike accident, Nick Di Nuzzo says he had a difficult time finding paid or volunteer work. Despite his background as an electrical linesman, Nick felt some places only saw him for his injury, rather than his potential. 

“The impact Brainwave Bikes has had on my life has been profound,” says Nick. “It provided me with not just a job, but a platform for growth and rebuilding after a difficult time.”

Nick began as a volunteer at Brainwave Bikes, progressing to three days a week as a mechanic – a role which gives him consistency and a sense of purpose. Now he mentors young people in the program, teaching them the practical tools of the trade. 

“I’m not just surviving, but thriving,” says Nick. “I’ve recently become a father and I’m excited about smashing my life goals.”

Andy’s story: how a sense of purpose helped him with depression 

For Andy, Brainwave Bikes was a way to reconnect with others and ease back into daily life after experiencing depression. His doctor encouraged him to try community work, and although Andy explored a few organisations, he was drawn to Brainwave Bikes because it offered a variety of responsibilities. 

“The mix of workshop tasks, driving the vans, working in the retail side, and the opportunity to learn about bicycle maintenance seemed like it would keep my mind engaged, and it definitely ticked all the boxes for me,” says Andy.

Now he volunteers at least twice a week, enjoying the consistency it brings to his routine, along with the social aspects. 

“Knowing my work is directly helping the community is a real source of inspiration to me, and it motivates me to keep coming back,” says Andy.  

Andy has been able to use his IT skills to help Brainwave Bikes improve their efficiency, while also learning new bike maintenance skills. “The positive experience I’ve had with Brainwave Bikes has led me to volunteer at two other places now,” he says. “It gives me something meaningful to do and keeps me busy in a positive way.”

Providing pathways for employment 

Kieran McMahon has managed Brainwave Bikes since it opened. “I vividly remember our very first bicycle collection,” he says. “Just 10 bikes in an empty warehouse, and I honestly wondered if our vision would ever become a reality. Now, seeing around 80 bikes coming in every week fills me with immense pride at how far we've come.”

From an environmental and social standpoint, the numbers speak for themselves. “As the largest retailer of used bikes in the country, we’ve successfully recycled over 7000 bikes, preventing them from ending up in landfill and giving them a new lease on life,” says Kieran. That translates to 480 tonnes of reduced carbon emissions. 

For Kieran, the positive impact the enterprise has on the lives of their young volunteers is what drives him. 

“We're incredibly proud of our work in providing pathways to employment,” he says. “We've seen several of our trainees successfully transition into mainstream jobs, not only within the bicycle industry but also in other sectors like retail and hospitality.”