Holiday and time off to volunteer mechanical skills to help those affected by the DANA: the case of Álex

Anonymous hands. But from their commitment, they emit skills that are hope. Unknown efforts, but with names of their own. Subjects that add a predicate of solidarity to the verb.

Álex, a worker at Airbus Spain and a great lover of cycling in its mountainous facet, has dedicated his free time, including breaks and even requests for holidays, to collaborating with the Bikes for Life by Škoda project, an initiative that aims to recover donated bicycles to give them a second life, or third, or fourth… and make them accessible to people and groups who need them most.

The logistical base of the project is located in the Madrid town of Pinto, where they are in charge of repairing, processing and storing the bicycles that arrive thanks to the SEUR Foundation. This institution is responsible for the free transport of the donations at no cost to the donors. Bicycles, which come from individuals and institutions, represent a crucial means of mobility for many people, especially in times of crisis and shortages or in complex geographical environments.

The tragedy that struck the Valencian Community on 29 October, when a DANA (Isolated High Level Depression) caused torrential rains, overflowing rivers and a large amount of material losses, profoundly affected mobility in the area. The motor vehicle fleet suffered extensive damage, with estimates of more than 110,000 vehicles destroyed or irreparably damaged across the area, leaving thousands of people without means of transport. In this context, the bicycle emerged as a viable alternative for many, and the Bikes for Life project wanted to participate as actively as possible in a solution, channelling from that moment on all the bicycle donations received to help the people affected within the framework of a synergy of solidarity led by the ultra-distance athlete Juan Dual and the Valencian companies DoYouBike and Vuelta de Tuerca Bike Shop.

The public response was immediate and generous, with hundreds of bicycles donated to the cause. The large number of bicycles received in the following weeks required the intervention of volunteers to ensure that each bike was in optimal condition for immediate use. In addition to the commendable work of other groups of volunteers such as the AMP association, the Good Samaritan Foundation or AURUM Bikes workers, the project required more hands to cope with the avalanche of donations. Alex, without thinking twice, offered to help with the mechanics and processing of the bicycles. His involvement, although disinterested, has also been key in the development of the last delivery, which took place a week ago in the town of Benetússer: the fourth expedition of material that left from Bicis para la Vida.

In his own words, Alex says: ‘It is a pleasure to be able to help in this process, especially knowing that the bicycles I repair and adjust will become a means of transport for those who need it most at such a difficult time. Being able to do my bit for such a noble cause, which improves the lives of many people, is something that fills me with satisfaction. Cycling has always been a passion for me, and now, in some way, I can share that love of cycling and give something back to the community. This reflection from Alex highlights not only his dedication to cycling, but also his dedication to the community”.

Since the impact of the DANA, Bicis para la Vida by Škoda, in collaboration with other institutions and companies such as Amazon and Avis, has chartered four expeditions of bicycles and material. Up to 400 bikes have been sent to the area, with deliveries made, among other areas, in Picanya, Paiporta, Albal and Benetússer. All these donations are part of the synergic cooperation between Do You Bike, Todo Bici Valencia, Vuelta de Tuerca Bike Shop, Esportactiu, Cicloesfera, Cáritas Valencia and the solidarity initiative of the ultra-distance athlete and cancer activist Juan Dual.

Although it has been possible to make some progress in supporting the mobility of the victims, there is still a lot of work ahead. And at different levels. You can still apply for a bicycle on the petition form. This document has received thousands of requests for help which, between different actions and initiatives, we are trying to answer as soon as possible.

If you want to donate one, you can do so via @bicisparalavida. And in person, in Valencia, during the mornings of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Alcoy street number 2 from 10:00-14:00 hours.