Lex Spencer and Ecomatter’s Brent Bielby. Photo/ Brydie Thompson.
Bielby said the funky bikes will be available for the public to try out during the hubs’ opening hours, and they expect to see around 35,000 to 40,000 visitors next year, giving many Aucklanders the opportunity to enjoy Spencer’s inventive designs.
The story of Spencer’s bikes is one of ingenuity and community spirit. A former dairy farmer with no formal experience in bike mechanics, he began repairing broken bikes for children in Waitara where he lived.
“If a kid had a broken bike, I would fix it, even if it meant finding old parts lying around,” Spencer said.
His early creations, including a four-wheeler built from bike parts, were inspired by a desire to repurpose discarded bikes, and give them new life.
Lex Spencer fixing a bike in his Maungatapu shed. Photo/ Brydie Thompson.
On shifting to Tauranga, he helped with the Kids Can Ride programme at schools. As well as fixing bikes and repurposing 1300 bikes in his shed in Maungatapu for Waipuna Hospice, he started crafting a variety of novelty bikes.
These included a four-wheeled bike, a child-sized penny farthing, and a “back-to-front tandem” with riders facing opposite directions.
A volunteer for more than 60 years, he was the winner of the Lifetime Service Award in the TECT Community Awards in 2020.
Lex Spencer fixing a bike in his Maungatapu shed. Photo/ Brydie Thompson.
Over the past 15 years, Spencer has built many other whimsical bikes, describing them as “crazy” because of their unique features, such as misaligned wheels or unusual frames that offer a quirky riding experience.
Although he can ride an e-bike, Spencer is no longer able to ride an ordinary bike due to health issues but is pleased his bikes won’t be gathering dust.
“I would have liked to have had them stay local, but if they’re getting used somewhere that’s the most important thing.”
Ecomatters, a multiple award-winning charitable trust focused on promoting cycling provides free basic bike maintenance and education to Auckland’s residents. With the new bikes from Spencer, Ecomatters is excited to offer a bit of fun alongside their services.
“Ecomatters is about making cycling accessible and encouraging people to maintain their bikes,” Bielby said. “We’re very proud to be the recipients of Lex’s bikes and keep them out in the community. It’s a wonderful legacy for Lex.”
Lex Spencer on one of his quirky bikes. Photo/ Brydie Thompson.
“The other day Waipuna Hospice picked up six fixed bikes from me, but they brought 14 with them. I’ve always said you’ve got to have a reason to get up in the morning.”
