Have you been eyeing that new mountain bike and feel like it’s time to put your old model into retirement? Why not pass it along to someone in need? If you’re interested in changing lives (one bike at a time!), here are a few different organizations that will help you make a difference:
Sustainability and humanity combine in Pedals for Progress (P4P, a bike donation program founded by ex-Peace Corps member Dave Schweidenback. The mission of P4P is simple “We rescue bicycles destined for overburdened U.S. landfills and ship them to developing countries where they are sorely needed and highly valued.” Collection sites are located throughout New Jersey, Vermont, and Connecticut: You can find their collection map here.
Founded by renowned mountain biker Hans Rey, Wheels 4 Life provides cycles to people in developing countries who do not have access to transportation. To date, the nonprofit has provided 5427 bikes in 20 countries. Wheels 4 Life frequently partners with organizations from all over the world, and you can take a look at their active projects here. There are tons of ways to get involved, be it through donations or hosting fundraising events.
Working on the principle that “the simple, sustainable nature of bicycles empowers individuals, their families and their communities,” World Bicycle Relief provides bikes to people in developing countries to give them access to healthcare, education, and professional opportunities. They have provided nearly 150,000 bikes to individuals across Africa thus far – and the number is ever-increasing. Make a donation, host an event, volunteer, or cycle for a cause and become a Team WBR Ambassador.
Based on the East Coast, Bikes for the World collects used, abandoned, or damaged bicycles and rebuilds them into top-condition models. These refurbished cycles are then distributed to individuals in the USA and internationally who are in need of transportation. There are a whole host of ways to get involved…. Currently, Bikes for the World is trying to open national collection sites, so why not get in touch to see how you could open a chapter in your community?