The ReCycle Bikes program is back for the seventh year.
Since 2015, Discovery Routes has worked with a number of local agencies to get bicycles into the hands of people who need them.
Nearly 590 bikes have been collected, tuned up and redistributed to North Bay and area residents.
Considering rising fuel costs, officials say cycling is one of the least expensive, most flexible and reliable modes of transportation available.
“A barrier for many in our community is access to a bicycle in good working order,” says Lance Belanger, Past-Chair of Discovery Routes and lead volunteer mechanic for the ReCycle Bikes program. “Our goal is to reduce that barrier one bike at a time. And, we’ve already had a number of individuals reach out with a bike to donate which shows we have a really caring community.”
Belanger also says they’re accepting cash donations, noting that donated bikes often need new or refurbished parts that aren’t always on hand.
Anyone with a bike to donate can drop it off Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 pm to 6 pm at the Laurentian Ski Hill Lower Lodge/ Laurentian Cafe on Ski Club Road in North Bay.
Note: the program is closed for bike donations on holidays, including Monday, May 23rd.
Charitable receipts are issued in the amount of $25 for each bicycle donated.
Cash donations can be made through the Discovery Routes website at discoveryroutes.ca/recycle-bikes.
The program is also looking for volunteers with bicycle repair knowledge, or willing to learn and improve repair skills.
Anyone interested in getting involved can email [email protected].
