FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

We’ve tried to answer every possible question we get asked but if you can’t find what you’re looking for please email us at bikes@stmarybarnes.org


How does the Barnes Charity Bike Sale work?

If you have a bike to donate or sell, please bring it to us. We take bikes in, give them a little TLC and sell them for charity on sale day in September. You can donate the bike, or if it is sold for more than £60, we can share the proceeds 50/50. We ask all bike donors to Gift Aid if possible. Please complete our bike donation form for each bike BEFORE you come to save time. Since 2006, we have repaired 1770 bikes and raised over £100,000 for charity - a wonderful recycling scheme.


Can you collect my bike?

If you are not able to bring your bike to St Mary’s, we can offer a free pick up of your bike(s) from your house through Tiptapp, an app that helps move things in and out of your home.  In order to benefit from this special offer, please send an email with the  subject “bike” to andreas.lanz@tiptapp.com.  You will be contacted a few days before the collection date.  Or open this link on your phone to download the Tiptapp app. Enter the campaign code ”bike” to receive £10 credit towards the cost of delivery.

Don’t forget to complete the form so we have a record of the bike sellers or donors, and can pay you any monies you are owed.


I can’t bring my bike on those dates. Can I bring it any other time or can you collect?

This may be possible by prior arrangement if it is a good quality bike. Please send a couple of photos of your bike to bikes@stmarybarnes.org with a telephone number and we’ll get back to you. Please don’t bring any bikes in on the day of the sale as it’s too late for us to check them over.


I’ve got children’s bikes – are these any good to you?

We do take children’s bikes, but some of the very tiniest bikes can be difficult to sell. If they are not in really good condition or able to be ridden, please find an alternative home for them as we may refuse to take them in. We are not offering shares on children’s bikes unless they are premium brands, such as Islabikes.


My bike is rusty and has been kept outside. Do you want it?

We can only accept bikes that can be made rideable with limited maintenance, i.e. oiling and checking brakes or pumping up tyres. Old rusty bikes which have lived outside for years just take too much work and time to resurrect. Please clean your bike before it comes in.

If your bike would be happier at the tip, please take it straight there. We reserve the right to decline bikes, so please don’t be offended if we do so, even if you have brought them to the churchyard. If in doubt, email bikes@stmarybarnes.org in advance with a photo of the bike and we’ll get back to you.


What happens when I bring my bike in?

Please complete our bike donation form before you come to the churchyard. This asks if you are prepared to fully donate the bike or would like 50% (offered if sale price of £60 and over is achieved). We are always especially grateful for donated bikes. If sharing the proceeds we need your bank sort code, a/c number and a/c name. You can decide if you want your bike back if unsold. Please be prepared to wait a little while we do the paperwork if we are busy.


How much do bikes sell for?

The majority of adult bikes sell for between £80 and £150. Children’s bikes rarely sell for more than £50 (unless they are a premium brand), and many of the smallest will only fetch £10 or £15. We can only offer a share of the proceeds on bikes sold for more than £60 since the checking and paperwork involved for each bike takes quite a lot of time. The purpose of the sale is to raise money for charity, as well as recycling bikes. We are always especially grateful for donated bikes.


What time does the sale open?

If you want your pick of the best bikes, you probably need to queue outside the churchyard before we open at 9.30am. We will admit people in groups so please be prepared to wait. We usually sell about half the bikes in the first hour of the sale.


Can I have a look at the bikes before the sale?

Sorry, this is just not possible. We will post some pictures of bikes as they come in on our Instagram, and Facebook accounts so keep an eye on social media for updates.


How do I pay?

We accept payment by debit/credit card. We would prefer not to accept cash this year.


What time does the sale end?

We finish the sale at 12.00 noon or whenever all the bikes are sold – whichever happens sooner.  The best bikes tend to go in the first hour.


How will I know if my bike has been sold?

A few days after the sale donors are contacted by email and told whether their bike has sold and, if so, how much for.  If you have Gift-Aided your donation, this amount will also be confirmed.   Bank transfers of any shares are made towards the end of the same week.


What happens to leftover bikes?

We generally have a very few left over and try to find a suitable charity to donate them to.


Can I specify which charity the money goes to?

Money from the sale goes to St Mary’s Church, Castelnau Community Centre, Glassdoor, Under tree schools, Age UK Barnes Green Centre and FiSH.  We don’t offer a facility to choose between these charities.


Can I volunteer to help?

Yes!   We need lots of help for each sale:

  • bike mechanics

  • trainee bike mechanics!

  • helpers for paperwork

  • tea makers to keep volunteers happy (& working)

  • people to help clean and move bikes

  • general organisers and assistants

Please visit our volunteers page for more information and email bikes@stmarybarnes.org if you can offer some time.    

It’s good fun and we have planning meetings in the pub!