Bike charities?
November 20, 2005 6:49 AM   Subscribe

Can anyone recommend a good charity involving bicycles?

I'd like to find a charity that each of my family members would support, and make a donation in their names this Christmas. My brother-in-law is a serious cyclist, and I'm wondering whether anyone knows of a nonprofit that might be good. Maybe somebody somewhere refurbishes old bicycles and donates them to Third World farmers, or to kids in the projects who live far from the trains, or whatnot. Anyone have any brilliant ideas?
posted by catesbie to Grab Bag (14 answers total)
 
Check out Bicas, http://www.consensus.net/bicas.html
posted by TorontoSandy at 7:16 AM on November 20, 2005


Free Ride is a Pittsburgh based charity, but it helps provide bikes and bike repairs for anyone in need.
posted by Alison at 7:19 AM on November 20, 2005


Bikes not bombs does exactly what you're looking for. Among their activities:
  • urban bike recycling
  • repair seminars for fun and for young entrepreneurs
  • collection of old bikes for projects in Guatemala and South Africa - the bikes are sold at low cost to Guatemalan/S. African NGOs that turn them into pedal-powered grain grinders, water pumps, etc. Those pedal-powered gizmos are then sold to families or small businesses.

    They also have a whee liberal activist streak that may not match everyone's perspective. But they're good people with effective projects.

  • posted by whatzit at 7:40 AM on November 20, 2005


    rails to trails?
    posted by Wild_Eep at 8:36 AM on November 20, 2005


    re-cycle is a UK based charity that sends second hand bicycles and parts to Africa. I'm glad re-cycle is about - the UK is absolutelly choc-a-block with unused bicycles.
    posted by tnai at 8:37 AM on November 20, 2005


    You could always contact the League of American Bicyclists and see what they might recommend, or consider donating directly.
    posted by Wild_Eep at 8:41 AM on November 20, 2005


    It doesn’t exactly have to do with bikes, but the Lance Armstrong Foundation comes to mind.
    posted by hilker at 8:50 AM on November 20, 2005


    You might consider donating to the Adventure Cycling Association. They're a unique non-profit in Missoula, Montana that has provided advocacy, information and cycle-touring resources since 1976.
    posted by killdevil at 9:03 AM on November 20, 2005


    Elves and More gives bikes to kids.
    posted by I Love Tacos at 10:19 AM on November 20, 2005


    I second the recommendation of Bikes Not Bombs. They do great work, both locally in the Boston inner city and globally, and they do it with very little overhead. The money will go directly to the good works and wheels.
    posted by alms at 10:23 AM on November 20, 2005


    This article discusses some cool work being done to create "cargo bikes" that can be used to haul heavy loads.
    posted by Good Brain at 11:11 AM on November 20, 2005


    Recycle-a-Bicycle is an NYC based bicycle refurbishing group oriented towards city youth. They're currently refurbing bikes for New Orleans residents. I've always liked the org.
    posted by lorrer at 11:30 AM on November 20, 2005


    These people also do great work and are based in Chicago.

    http://www.workingbikes.org/
    posted by sk381 at 9:41 AM on November 21, 2005


    Response by poster: Thanks, everyone, for your fabulous suggestions! These sound like great organizations, many of which I never would have thought of. I do love Bikes not Bombs, but I am studiously avoiding imposing my politics on my family this holiday season. (She says nobly, until the eggnog hits.) Many thanks!
    posted by catesbie at 2:40 PM on November 21, 2005


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