The YMCA ReCranked program collects donations of unwanted bikes from community members and a team of nine volunteers restores them back to roadworthy condition, giving away about 300 each year.

YMCA ReCranked coordinator Wallace Martin said the team gave away eight bikes on Monday and three on Wednesday afternoon, with many more available for people in need.

"At the moment we have 150 bikes here that are ready to be given away. We have heaps of adult bikes," he said.

"We have a three car garage, a 40 foot shipping container and a garden shed - they are all chockers."

One woman who picked up some bikes on Wednesday was a foster carer who had two children permanently in her care and one frequently staying with her for respite.

"She is retired now, so doesn't have the income she used to," Mr Martin said.

"For her to come and get a couple of bikes and helmets, that is huge.

"The little boy is so happy he can have his own bike now."

The program provides social connection and purpose to volunteers, gives people who may not be able to afford a bike new transport and exercise opportunities and reduces waste.

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Mr Martin said owning a bike could change people's lives.

He told the story of a newly arrived immigrant who picked up a bike from ReCranked when he was 15-years-old.

"It allowed him to go to soccer training, to get to school, to study, to get to work at McDonalds and KFC," Mr Martin said.

"It gave him freedom to pick up part time work. He said if he didn't have that bike he wouldn't be able to get those jobs.

"That is the freedom it can give people.

"If someone said to me nine years ago this is the impact ReCranked would have, I would have said we are just fixing up bikes. The impact is unbelievable."

ReCranked launched in Ballarat in 2013 and has since recycled 2500 bikes.

Mr Martin said there was no criteria to be eligible for a ReCranked bike, but they were intended for people who could not afford to purchase one.

A helmet is provided with all bikes and a bike lock is also donated with adult bikes.

The ReCranked hub is at 34 Violet Grove Wendouree and is open to the public from 2pm until 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

People can contact Mr Martin on 0460 631 985 or recranked@ymca.org.au for further information.

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