Bring the Techno Bike Back to Exeter

Bring the Techno Bike Back to Exeter

Hi, I’m Myles from the sunny Southwest of England.

I take great pride in our community and care deeply for the people in it.

A few months ago, while carrying a pasting table up my street in Exeter, a tall young man called out loudly from across the road: “WHAT’S WITH THE TABLE?” That was the first exchange between Ross and me. Since then, we’ve greeted each other whenever we cross paths—which is often, as we live on the same street.

But what caught my attention more than his towering height or his casual confidence was his bike: a pushbike with a trailer hitched to the back, sporting a large sign that read “Techno Bike.” (This is one of his special interests.) He rides through Exeter playing all kinds of music—folk, reggae, techno—bringing himself joy and, I’d imagine, brightening others’ days too. For him, this ritual is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to unwind, self-regulate, and connect with the world. In fact, it’s his favorite method of self-regulation.

Recently, I boarded a double-decker bus and headed upstairs, where I discovered another of his passions: buses, especially double-deckers. There he was, sitting at the very front, holding a large steering wheel with a boombox beside him playing soft indie-folk music, living out his dream of "driving" the bus. I took a seat across from him—after all, you don’t see the "bus driver" upstairs every day—and we got chatting.

I learned that he’s autistic, fiercely passionate, and remarkably independent—more so than I am in some ways. When I asked about his Techno Bike (since I hadn’t seen it in a while), he told me it had been stolen recently, while locked outside his house. Though he downplayed it, I could tell the loss cut deep for him.

The truth is, his bike, the buses, and the music aren’t just pastimes—they’re vital coping mechanisms. The Techno Bike, in particular, gives him mobility, relieves anxiety, and helps him navigate the world on his own terms. Without it, he’s lost a crucial tool for connection and self-expression.

As someone with a younger brother on the autism spectrum and my own struggles with mental health, I felt his pain deeply. For Ross, these small joys aren’t just hobbies—they’re lifelines, identity, and freedom. They’re how he connects, how he copes, and how he claims his place in the world.

That’s why I’m starting this GoFundMe. When we spoke, Ross wasn’t sure anyone would care enough to help. It’s clear he’s been let down before—by underfunded mental health services, by systems that weren’t built for people like him, and even by the ones he called friends.

I want to show him that his community does care.

So, dear reader, if you can spare anything— big or small—let’s get Ross back on his Techno Bike and bring that vibrant energy back to Exeter’s streets.

Let’s bring Exeter Techno Bike home.

What donating will do

Every contribution directly fuels Ross's freedom and safety:

• £60 = security upgrades (heavy-duty lock + chain) so Techno Bike stays safe in his fenced back-garden

• £100 = A new open trailer

• The rest = the bike itself and lights

But beyond the parts and pieces, you're giving back something priceless: Ross's independence, joy, and his irreplaceable role in Exeter's community.

You can find Ross on tiktok via: @rossyboppingonthebuses15601