The Barking man behind a scheme that has shared out 50,000 books across east London has looked back to the first book he delivered, donated by his late father.
Emdad Rahman, founder of the BookBike project, launched the scheme to share books across London and promote literacy.
The inspiration came from a single donated book, bought for £1 and given to Emdad by his late father.
The BookBike began as a simple act of kindness but has grown into a wider literacy and outreach scheme that now operates across Barking and Dagenham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, and Redbridge.
While it began as a neighbourhood project, today it reaches people including rough sleepers, care home residents, refugees, families in temporary accommodation, food bank users, hospice patients, schoolchildren, and more.
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Emdad Rahman reading some of the books his scheme has helped hand out to children (Image: Emdad Rahman)
Mr Rahman said: “My father bought that first book for £1 and told me to give it away. He showed me that the smallest investment in someone else can create the greatest return for humanity.
“Fifty thousand books later, I still feel like I’m delivering that very first one.”
In addition to books, Mr Rahman distributes food parcels, bottled water, snacks, and packed lunches.
During the winter, he hands out sleeping bags, hats, gloves, scarves, thermal wear, and essential supplements to rough sleepers.
The BookBike scheme has supported care homes, schools, youth groups, community libraries, hospital wards, and school literacy drives. It has also powered the Hackney Homeless Book Club and worked with care homes to reduce loneliness.
During the pandemic, the project was supported by the British Library to help ensure continued access to reading materials while people were isolated.
Emdad Rahman in the centre, alongside family (Image: Emdad Rahman)
Mr Rahman’s work has drawn national attention. He has been named an England Football Lionheart and appeared on The Russell Howard Hour. He also featured in Sir Captain Tom Moore’s book, 100 Reasons To Hope.
Despite the recognition, Mr Rahman says the project remains deeply personal and rooted in the values taught to him by his father.
The BookBike not only promotes reading, but also highlights the connection between physical and mental wellbeing. By combining cycling with reading, Mr Rahman encourages both movement and imagination.
The scheme has grown with the support of communities, schools, and volunteers. Donations now arrive regularly, and events, collections, and outreach partnerships have become a key part of the BookBike’s operations.
Schools have integrated the BookBike into their literacy initiatives, while volunteers help pack winter outreach kits.
Mr Rahman said: “As long as there are stories to share and people who need them, the journey continues. Thank you to every donor, volunteer, school, writer, neighbour and friend who believed in this idea. This milestone belongs to all of you.”
BookBike’s success is a testament to the impact of grassroots action and community spirit. The project continues to deliver not just books, but also food and winter essentials, showing that simple acts of kindness can grow into something much larger.