Bike charities?
November 20, 2005 6:49 AM
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?
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
posted by killdevil at 9:03 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
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
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
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
http://www.workingbikes.org/
posted by sk381 at 9:41 AM on November 21, 2005
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
posted by catesbie at 2:40 PM on November 21, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by TorontoSandy at 7:16 AM on November 20, 2005