Behind the bike: talented technician Jason

Welcome to our short blog series, 'Behind the bike', where you can get to know us better and how we get refugees cycling. 

Today we meet Jason, one of the London workshop teams talented technicians. Read his interview below for his top cycling tips, hopes for refugees in the UK, and Southbank cycling memories.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Jason I’m one of the technicians at The Bike Project, I enjoy upcycling bikes and photography. I started working at The Bike Project around 9 months ago.

Why do you think the work The Bike Project does, is important?

I think the work The Bike Project does is important because they are making refugees lives easer, giving a form of transport, teaching them how to cycle along with helping keeping their bikes maintained and healthy.

Has anything surprised you?

I was surprised on how well the workshop was managed and that we are all treated equally regardless of whether we are a junior, senior or management.

What is one nugget of knowledge from your job you can share with our followers?

A clean and well-maintained bicycle will bring you years of happiness.

What are your top three tips for new cyclists.
1. Keep your bike maintained and clean.
2. Join a social cycling club.
3. Bring snacks and have fun.

What is your favourite cycling memory?

When I was a young teen, I would go South Bank on my mountain bike and ride all the stairs and jump everything I could. I used to go through several bikes a year but it was a lot of fun!

In a perfect world, how would refugees be supported in the UK?

There is so much that can be done however it would be to much to write. Narrowing it down to two, I would say to educate people more on why there are refugees and on how we can help them and also refine the prosses it takes to get refugee status in the UK. Sometimes this can take many years and within that time they are unable to work and their life is on hold.

Thanks Jason! Stay tuned for more...