Bike rides help welcome people seeking sanctuary in Swansea

The first of a series of bike tours to show refugees and asylum seekers Swansea’s landmarks and services took place on Saturday 14 May.

The Swansea Bay Rides scheme gives people seeking sanctuary in Swansea and further afield the opportunity to tour the city by bike, taking in local castles and historical sites, as well as other useful services. Its aim is to give people who are new to the city and experience of the culture and languages, as well as the chance to meet new people in the area.

The first ride included a trip to Mumbles and a discounted ice cream thanks to Ripples Cafe. Refugees and asylum seekers living in Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol joined the tour, making use of the Welsh Government’s free public transport for refugees scheme.

Future tours will include the Copperworks, Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea Central Library, Swansea Market and Gower.

With the Welsh Government’s aspiration of becoming a nation of sanctuary, Swansea Bay Rides say the tour aims to bring people together who are local to Swansea and those who are new to the area to learn from each other and to promote understanding and appreciation of each other’s backgrounds.

Re-cycle Swansea supported by loaning bikes to participants as part of their scheme to provide people seeking sanctuary with bikes and the skills needed to maintain them.

One refugee who joined the first tour said: “Meeting people is a real enjoyment, and I will remember the smiling faces of people who made this trip a treat. People make things much better. I have never been to Swansea before, but it is a very nice, clean city and the people are very welcoming.”

Dr Mike Chick, University of South Wales Refugee Champion said: “This is a fantastic project that enables people seeking asylum in South Wales to immerse themselves in the local culture. I urge all refugees to get involved.”

The scheme is open to all refugees and asylum seekers who are interested, including those from Ukraine. More information is available from swanseabayrides.wordpress.com.