RECYCLE RACK GUIDE

The “ReCycle Rack” is a custom designed bike and scooter rack. These build instructions are available for anyone to use.

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What is the ReCycle Rack?

School bike racks come in all shapes and sizes, but none really cater to all shapes and size of bike! And most are expensive to purchase and install.

So, in 2023 we decided to commission someone to design a bike and scooter rack that would be affordable and easy to use in schools.

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The result was the ReCycle Rack.

• It is made with car tyres diverted from waste.

• It is playground friendly, and easy to use for all ages and types of wheels.

• Most importantly, it is easy and cheap to make!

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Download our build guide if you want to make your own ReCycle Rack.

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How much will it cost?

In 2023 the ReCycle Rack cost around $140 in materials to build.

Note: This figure does not take labour costs into account. It allows for timber rounded up to the nearest metre. And for fixings bought in pre-packaged amounts.

This includes a 250ml tin of black stain at about $16. If you don’t want to stain the timber, you can remove this cost from the project.  

You may be able to get some, or all the materials donated by your local hardware shop.  

 

Tools needed:

Paint/stain: brush or roller, rags, stick for mixing, tray, and drop sheet. Gloves and aprons optional.

Cutting: Ruler/measuring tape, drop saw (235mm blade saw), or hand saw with mitre box.

Assembly: cordless drill. Optional: chalk.

 

For a 5-tyre rack we used:

• 2 x 1950mm lengths of 140 x 32 H3.2 decking timber

• 5 x 550mm lengths of 90 x 32 H3.2 decking timber

• 10 x 16g x 50mm bugle head batten screws

• 25 x low profile head 18 - 8 x 40mm timber screws

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Our top tips to get the most out of your ReCycle Rack

• Put it somewhere it can be seen.

• Tell your community where it is and what it’s for.

• Get people involved in making it; give your students or community a sense of ownership of the rack.

• Paint it to fit your environment; make it your own.

 

The ReCycle Racks can be free standing or screwed/bolted down.

To secure to the ground, remove tyres from the appropriate cross pieces and reattach after the screws or bolts appropriate to the mounting surface have been fitted and tightened.

Rubbish and leaves may collect around the tyres, so ensure this is cleared out regularly, so the rack remains appealing to use.

Check the drainage holes aren’t clogged after heavy rain, as pooled water can attract pests.