The next bike donation drop-off day is scheduled for Friday, July 11th from 9am to 1pm.  We are looking for bike donations and volunteers to help sort, strip, and haul bikes.  If you have bikes to donate but can’t make it that day, contact the Fitness Council to arrange an alternative. 

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Community Bike Program


 


What:   We take donated bikes in any condition, fix them up, and distribute them to community members who need transportation.  Community members and organizations donate used bikes.  Volunteers fix them up.  The Fitness Council provides a bike and helmet, along with training to those referred to our program.

 

Why: This program does so many great things for our community; it is hard to list them all.  Here are a few benefits of the program:
 

  • We get more people riding bikes as transportation, which improves their health, saves them (gas) money, and reduces pollution from vehicle trips.
  • We provide an inexpensive, sustainable transportation option to people who do not have access to a car.  A bike helps them get to jobs, appointments, and errands.
  • Repairing bikes is a great mentoring opportunity.  Volunteers work with parolees, kids, and other community members who want to learn more about bikes.  Repair times provide hands-on activities that build self-confidence, community connections, and mechanical skills. 

 

How:  In order to function, the program requires three things: bike donations, volunteer time, resources for distribution.  You can contribute to this program by

  • Donating a bike.  If you have an old bike collecting dust in your garage or basement, we can put it to good use.  We have donation days throughout the summer.  Contact the Fitness Council for dates or to arrange an alternate drop-off time (sorry, we can’t pick bike up from your home).
  • Volunteering at the shop.  The program relies on volunteers to turn one person’s trash into another person’s treasure.  You can volunteer by yourself, or arrange a volunteer day for a group (scouts, church groups, co-workers, etc). 
    Experience with bikes is great, but you don’t have to be mechanically inclined to help us out.  Everyone is encouraged to volunteer, regardless of experience!
    We provide bikes, space, tools, and “expert” technical assistance.  You just come with willingness to work and a smile.  Kids are welcome but should be accompanied by adult supervision.
  • Sponsoring a bike.  Even with all of the donations and volunteer time, there is a cost to recycling bikes.  Rent, staff time, tools, and replacement parts are some of the costs that go into repairing bikes.  We are always looking for organizations to partner with in order to provide bikes and training to more people. 

 

When:  The next bike donation drop-off day is scheduled for Friday, July 11th from 9am to 1pm.  We are looking for bike donations and volunteers to help sort, strip, and haul bikes.  If you have bikes to donate but can’t make it that day, contact the Fitness Council to arrange an alternative. 
 

We hold a volunteer repair night every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm in our space at 211 Ganson (across from the fair grounds).  The public is welcome to join us, but we ask that you call ahead (517.990.9798) to let us know you are coming. We hope to add another weekly volunteer opportunity soon!