Ex-cop Peter Moore volunteers repairing old bikes for needy and plans to ship to Timor-Leste

A ex-federal police officer has found volunteer work is his new calling, repairing donated bikes to give away to those vulnerable in the community, with his next big move to send a container to Timor-Leste.

More than 70 bicycles lay in the backyard of 71-year-old Peter Moore’s Wandina home after he began volunteering for Bicycles for Humanity five years ago.

Mr Moore operates out of his backyard shed and has processed more than 1000 bicycles since he began at the Geraldton hub. He said in 2022, he restored and recycled 240 bikes alone.

“We’ve got a 20ft container coming next month and we’re going to fill it with bikes and spare parts and ship it over to Timor-Leste where I used to work for the United Nations,” he said.

Mr Moore said he hoped he could supply bicycles to Timor more regularly because of the proximity to Australia.

“I’d like to help my friends out over there,” he said.

“I paid for my first car repairing bikes when I was in Canberra, I had $700 for my first car. I used to do up old cars and it got too expensive so I started on push bikes.”

Mr Moore said they would need to raise funds get the container to Perth and ship it to Timor which will “cost a fortune”.

The Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton sponsors the organisation and donations come from community members, Geraldton Police and Revolutions Geraldton.

“Anyone that’s got a bike or needs a bike, come and see us,” Mr Moore said.