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How we work

Free Ride builds it's programme using member voice.


Every member fills a membership survey, and the data from this survey is used to drive and develop programmes. Members are asked if they want a free bike, a bike for someone else, access to tools, mechanic training, free fix ups, free safety gear, bike riding skills courses and information about safe routes.

“for us, it's a very clear way to create programmes that our community wants. I don't have to do massive consultation, as the data is all there in the membership survey” Lily - Project lead.

So far we've managed to provide about 6 months worth of free fix ups, free bikes, and safety gear and some Pedal Ready Training.


Our next step is to fit out our Free Ride Workshop, and start mechanic training sessions.

This will enable us to train more mechanics and give the ones with exisiting skills access to tools to use. It's important for us to train mechanics for three reasons:

  1. More people with mechanic skills means more safe bikes in our community.

  2. There is a mechanic shortage and there are many opportunities for work

  3. Free Ride members can be involved in getting more bikes out to the whānau who need them. Ross can only do so much, so having more people fixing in our workshop means more bikes get given away.


Having a space will enable us to build more of a community around Free Ride, and develop a bigger presence at Naenae's Hillary Court. The space will be open 10am-1pm 3 Saturdays a month.


As part of using community voice to create programmes, we want to use community voice to influence and advocate to councils, and government. We are in conversation with Hutt City Council around their new Streets for People programme funded by Waka Kōtahi.


This programme is about making the routes through the community better for whānau and community to access so that we might see more people choosing cycling. We intend to work with HCC to bring Free Ride voices to this conversation so that we might get the best result for our community.
















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Upcoming Events

  • Final Saturday workshop for 2024!
    Final Saturday workshop for 2024!
    Sat, 14 Dec
    Lower Hutt
    14 Dec 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    14 Dec 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Come and get your bits and peices done before Free Ride goes on it's summer holiday hiatus, and we prepare for some changes to how and where we operate. We'll only take small jobs we can do on the day, and all current client bike pick ups need to be done today.
  • End of year ride (intermediate)
    End of year ride (intermediate)
    Sun, 15 Dec
    Lower Hutt
    15 Dec 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    15 Dec 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Year in review, reflective ride. Easy ride to Taita Rock and back to Motu Tawa along the river trail. Little stops to find out little reflective messages. 12km
  • Te Ngaengae pool opening day Free Fix Up!
    Te Ngaengae pool opening day Free Fix Up!
    Sat, 07 Dec
    Lower Hutt
    07 Dec 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    07 Dec 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Ride your bikes to the pool for a free safety check and fix up.
  • Book a basic bike Service $50
    Book a basic bike Service $50
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, 07 Dec
    Lower Hutt
    07 Dec 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    07 Dec 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Bring your bike in on Saturdays (10am-1pm) or by appointment Thursdays for a basic bike service to keep your ride running smoothly.
  • Restoration ride - Advanced ride (due to length and speed) - Confident riders
    Restoration ride - Advanced ride (due to length and speed) - Confident riders
    Sun, 01 Dec
    Lower Hutt
    01 Dec 2024, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    01 Dec 2024, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Restoration ride: going to places where people replant: We will have speakers at some stops. This is not for beginner riders. Riders must have confidence on a bike, . Tickets are free, but a booking is required.
  • Free Ride Workshop Saturday
    Free Ride Workshop Saturday
    Sat, 30 Nov
    Lower Hutt
    30 Nov 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    30 Nov 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Our Saturday workshop is open for getting fitted for new bikes, helmets and safety gear. Come get a standard bike service or other services for payment on a sliding scale.
  • Easy Bike Maintainence
    Easy Bike Maintainence
    Thu, 28 Nov
    Lower Hutt
    28 Nov 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    28 Nov 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Come along and get your hands dirty learning how to check and maintain your bike yourself. Bring your bike and we can show you what to check and regularly maintain.
  • E-bike Ride to Te Ara Tupua - Intermediate
    E-bike Ride to Te Ara Tupua - Intermediate
    Sun, 24 Nov
    Lower Hutt
    24 Nov 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    24 Nov 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Intermediate Ride. This is not for beginner riders. Riders must have some recent experience riding, and confidence on a bike. Tickets are free, but a booking is required.
  • Free Ride Workshop Saturday
    Free Ride Workshop Saturday
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, 23 Nov
    Lower Hutt
    23 Nov 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    23 Nov 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Our Saturday workshop is open for getting fitted for new bikes, helmets and safety gear. Come get a standard bike service or other services for payment on a sliding scale.
  • Puncture repair workshop
    Puncture repair workshop
    Thu, 21 Nov
    Lower Hutt
    21 Nov 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    21 Nov 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Come along and get your hands dirty learning how to repair and change tubes on your bike. Feel free to bring your bike (they are all different), please wear covered toe shoes and your rough clothes you don't mind getting a bit dirty.
  • Whānau Bike Skills
    Whānau Bike Skills
    Sat, 16 Nov
    Lower Hutt
    16 Nov 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 31 Treadwell Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    16 Nov 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 31 Treadwell Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Free Ride's Hutt Valley Whānau Bike Skills (level 0-2) Keen to get back on a bike or get riding for the first time? Want to build confidence on two wheels and get some tips about how to stay safe when sharing the road.
  • Book a basic bike Service $50
    Book a basic bike Service $50
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, 14 Nov
    Lower Hutt
    14 Nov 2024, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    14 Nov 2024, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Bring your bike in by appointment Thursdays for a basic bike service to keep your ride running smoothly.
  • Cycle with confidence
    Cycle with confidence
    Sat, 02 Nov
    Lower Hutt
    02 Nov 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 31 Treadwell Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    02 Nov 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 31 Treadwell Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Adults learn to ride with confidence, build your skills riding on the road, with our skilled instructors. You can bring your own bike, or if you don't have one, we'll supply one, just let us know. Meet at the basketball court on Treadwell Street.
  • Mechanic workshop
    Mechanic workshop
    Thu, 31 Oct
    Lower Hutt
    31 Oct 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    31 Oct 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Come and learn some skills to help you fix your own bike. This is a casual mentoring session on Thursday nights where you can learn as you go. Rangatahi welcome but must come with an adult.
  • E-bike ride Petone and Seaview - Intermediate
    E-bike ride Petone and Seaview - Intermediate
    Sun, 27 Oct
    Lower Hutt
    27 Oct 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    27 Oct 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Intermediate Ride. This is not for beginner riders. Riders must have some recent experience riding, and confidence on a bike. Tickets are free, but a booking is required.
  • Mechanic workshop  - Puncture repair session
    Mechanic workshop  - Puncture repair session
    Thu, 24 Oct
    Lower Hutt
    24 Oct 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    24 Oct 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Come and learn some skills to help you fix your own bike. This is a casual mentoring session on Thursday nights where you can learn as you go. Rangatahi welcome but must come with an adult. This session is all about punctures, so come along and have a go!
  • Whānau Bike Skills
    Whānau Bike Skills
    Sat, 19 Oct
    Lower Hutt
    19 Oct 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 31 Treadwell Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    19 Oct 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 31 Treadwell Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Free Ride's Hutt Valley Whānau Bike Skills (level 0-2) Keen to get back on a bike or get riding for the first time? Want to build confidence on two wheels and get some tips about how to stay safe when sharing the road.
  • Mechanic workshop
    Mechanic workshop
    Thu, 17 Oct
    Lower Hutt
    17 Oct 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    17 Oct 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Lower Hutt, 35 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
    Come and learn some skills to help you fix your own bike. This is a casual mentoring session on Thursday nights where you can learn as you go. Rangatahi welcome but must come with an adult.
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