Recycle-A-Bicycle Report

In 2013, the Fund made its first donation of $10,000 to Recycle-A-Bicycle, a nonprofit organization that uses bicycles to foster youth development and community engagement. James enjoyed cycling, competing in races in his teens and commuting to work on his bicycle. The funds we provided to RAB went towards a wide range of activities in 2014 that support youth cycling in Western Queens, New York. In December, RAB sent us a report on the activities and events that occurred throughout last year, which we’ve excerpted below. We are pleased to continue our support of this nonprofit with a further donation in 2015.

Community Service Projects
Recycle-A-Bicycle worked with various volunteer groups to refurbish 24 children’s bicycles per Bike Bonanza. RAB staff led each of the nine community service projects that were held in Long Island City: two student groups from New York University, a student group from Friends Seminary, and six corporate groups including Deloitte, Google, and Health Concentrix. Altogether, 93 volunteers provided 398 hours of service and helped to prepare 216 bikes for redistribution at 8 locations and one bike swap.

Above: Deloitte volunteers help prepare children’s bicycles for a Bike Bonanza

LIC Bike Parade
Held in June at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, the LIC Bike Parade is an annual event, hosted by Socrates Sculpture Park to celebrate the bicycle by inviting children to work with local artists to decorate their bikes; get a free bike helmet from the NYC Department of Transport; swap the bike they have outgrown for a bike refurbished by Recycle-A-Bicycle or repair their bike at no cost; and parade down Vernon Boulevard with the local high school marching band to be welcomed with cheers and snacks by members of the Friends of Queensbridge Park and Green Shores NYC. At this year’s Parade, 29 bikes were swapped, 3 bikes were donated to children without one to swap, and 28 bikes were repaired.

Above: Cyclists assemble with their new helmets and bikes. 

Summer Youth Employment
Since 2005, Recycle-A-Bicycle has served as a worksite for the Summer Youth Employment Program. This provides jobs and educational classes for teens from low-income families over a six-week period. Participants in 2014 learned how to take apart and rebuild bicycles to prepare for the fall Bike Bonanzas, for a community bike sale. Students were also asked to teach two groups of visiting youth how to fix a flat, and to work with Health Contrix volunteers. At the end of the summer, students successfully completed 17 bikes for the sale and 34 bikes for the Bike Bonanzas. At the end of the sale, students raised $2,500. In addition to these accomplishments, three students earned a bike by staying an hour after each work day.

Above: Summer Youth Employment students work with Health Concentrix volunteers

Bike Bonanzas in Queens
A Bike Bonanza event is a partnership between Bike New York, NYC Department of Transportation, Recycle-A-Bicycle and a hosting neighborhood group. Everyone is invited to get a helmet fitting by the Department of Transportation and take a new helmet home. Children are invited to swap the bike they have outgrown and choose from the 24 bikes refurbished and brought to the event by Recycle-A-Bicycle. Older youth may get their bike repaired . Simultaneously, children are welcome to a Learn to Ride lesson. All of these activities are free.

Above: Training wheels are removed before delivering the “new” bike to its owner