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GIVE USED BICYCLES A HOME AMONG HOMELESS PEOPLE

used bicycles

Having a used bicycle may not seem like a big deal to some people, but for a homeless child or adult, it can have life-changing consequences. When you put used bicycles into the hands of homeless individuals, you provide them with an opportunity to do things they often cannot achieve on foot: a chance to get a hot meal across town, find a secure shelter for the night, go to a job interview, accept a job, access medical care, or attend school. Suddenly, a used bicycle becomes their ticket to independence and a chance for a better life.

The number of people who need that ticket is staggering. Each year, approximately 2.3 to 3.5 million people experience homelessness in the United States, according to the National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty. Among the homeless, as many as 1 million or more are children. Many cities and towns offer some services for the homeless, yet they can be impossible to reach without transportation.

But if a mother has a used bicycle, she can ride to a clinic and get medication for her children. Homeless children who receive used bikes can attend school and also have something they can call their own. Homeless veterans can pick up their assistance checks and access VA services. And the working homeless — who make up at least 17 percent of the urban homeless — have a reliable means of transportation so they can accept and reach jobs that are beyond walking distance.

Two things you should know: Although numerous communities have held successful used bicycle donation drives that have benefited the homeless, more events are needed. And too many functional used bicycles are abandoned to the garbage by their owners. You can bring these two factors together and create something positive for the homeless in your community.

If there is already a used bicycle event for the homeless planned in your area, you can:

  • Contact the individuals who manage it to see if you can help by gathering donated used bikes. Where should you look? Check out the list, "Where Can I Find Used Bicycles?"
  • Don't forget the helmets! Request helmet donations when you ask for used bicycles.
  • If bicycle repair kits and accessories are not part of the event, ask if they might be included. Items to collect may include bicycle locks, tire repair kits, reflectors, and lights.
  • Volunteer time to help fix-up the used bicycles that are donated.
  • If you have children who are old enough to help you, get them involved in the collection process as well. This can be a good project for children to learn about helping others.

If you would like to help initiate a used bicycle give-away for the homeless in your area, here are some starting points.

  • This is a team effort, so talk to the appropriate individuals (e.g., human resource officer, volunteer coordinator, special events organizer) at your workplace, faith-based group, school, or civic organization about taking this on as a service project.
  • Contact area homeless shelters, homeless advocacy organizations, or any groups that sponsor homeless programs. They may be waiting for a person like you to spur them on to undertake such a project! At the very least, these entities can promote the event.
  • Talk to your local police department. Many police departments across the country have participated in used bicycle events.
  • Talk to any bicycle-related groups or facilities, such as bicycle shops or biking clubs and ask if they are interested in sponsoring or donating to the event.

Where Can I Find Used Bicycles?

  • Friends, neighbors, relatives, coworkers (many people have a used bicycle or two stashed in the garage or basement)
  • Apartment complexes (people often move away and leave bicycles behind; talk to apartment complex managers)
  • College dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses (college students often leave old bicycles behind when they graduate or leave for the year)
  • The curb (many people put perfectly functional used bicycles out on the curb on trash days)
  • Bicycle shops (may have used or slightly damaged bicycles they wish to donate)
  • Bicycle clubs (members may hold onto old bicycles and/or be a good source for accessory items)
  • Police departments (not only may they have unclaimed used bicycles, but many police departments sponsor used bike donation events)

Although used bicycles can be a means of transportation for the homeless, they can also instill a sense of independence and self-esteem. And those feelings can be just as important as a hot meal to a person in need.