Give Your Bike Away
May is a good month to give your bike away! It’s National Bike Month.
No, I have not lost my mind at FloridaCycling.us. Yes, we do promote the growth of cycling, not the abandonment of it.
What I’m talking about is giving away that bike that has been sitting, unused, in your garage, shed, car port, or patio.
I have one that has been sitting in my shed for a couple of years. I have other models I now ride. While I could try to sell it on Marketplace. I’ve decided to give it away. But how? To whom?
Several organizations across Florida receive used bikes. So, the bike that is occupying space in my shed, unused, is about to have a new owner.
Do you have an unused bike? Consider donating it.
Most bike charities would like your donated bike to be roadworthy. Others will take bikes in any condition, because they will use the parts. Many of the organizations listed will come and pick up your bike. Contact them for details.
Each of these give-a-bike charities has an inspiring story about how they took a small step to make a difference. That is now tens of thousands of bikes later, distributed to worthy people. Some of their stories are shared below to inspire you with how one person can take a step that made a difference in the life of a child or adult.
Below are some non-profits across Florida that receive, refurbish and give away bikes to children and adults who will be thrilled to have one.
Jack the Bike Man, West Palm Beach, FL
The short story of Jack the Bike Man, in Jack’s own words:
“In 1999 a young Spanish speaking man was falling off of his bike in front of my house. I was very much disabled, yet I hobbled out to the curb, looking closely at that bike. I noticed that the front brakes were not attached. I went into my house and got a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. I then repaired the brakes and the young man no longer had to crash into the curb to stop. He was very happy and became an immediate friend.”
Though Jack the Bike Man passed away in 2023 at 82, his legacy of generosity and caring lives on. In 2024, the organization handed out over 1,450 bikes to children and adults.
The Rick Case Bikes for Kids Program, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Since its inception in 1982, the program has given away 125,000 bicycles. It began over 38 years ago in Ohio, where Rick and his wife Rita had 14 bicycle stores in their motorcycle and moped dealerships. They continued giving away donated bikes when they moved to South Florida and opened up automobile dealerships. For locations and hours for dropping off bikes, visit RickCase.com. Rick Case Bikes for Kids program partners with Boys and Girls Clubs, Kids in Distress, community organizations, area churches and schools to get bikes in the hands of kids.
Bikes for Christ, Greater Tampa Region - covering Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco Counties
Bikes for Christ provides refurbished, donated bicycles with a primary focus of serving veterans, underprivileged children, and anyone working to overcome hardships to create a better life. They partner with dozens of civic and law enforcement agencies to ensure bikes get to the people most in need.
The gift of a bicycle from Bikes for Christ can be truly life changing. It enables a low-income parent to commute many miles to work, to visit medical appointments, or attend parenting classes essential for family well-being. It empowers a child to travel safely to school, attend tutoring sessions at the local library, participate in extracurricular activities that foster personal growth, or earn income from their first job.
Rusty’s Bicycle Recycle, Longwood, FL (Orlando area)
Rusty’s Bicycle Recycle is a 100% volunteer organization. Their heart and mission is simple. Giving the homeless a lift…one bike at a time. There are no employees. But they manage to deliver over a thousand donated bicycles each year. They partner charities who serve the unhoused, including homeless veterans and foster children.
Bike Walk Indian River County, Vero Beach, FL
Bike Walk Indian River County, Inc. is a nonprofit that relies on donated bikes and parts to accomplish their objective of making sure that everyone in their county who needs a bike has access to one. They collect bikes, refurbish them and distribute them (along with free helmets) to people who need them.
Bicycle House, Tallahassee, FL
Since 2010 Bicycle House has received donated bikes and provided the following services: they’ve given away over 5,000 rejuvenated bikes; made 30,000 repairs on bikes when people could not afford to take it to a bike shop; conducted bike safety instruction; and fitted helmets properly.
If you need to locate a worthy charity to donate your bike to, you might check with your local bike shop for a recommendation or Google “bicycle donation (your city name)”.
Thanks for considering joining me to donate a bike during National Bike Month. The bikes you and I are not using could be a gift to someone who would be thrilled to have a bike of their own.
Feel free to forward this email to your cycling friends so they can consider this idea. Happy National Bike Month!
Ride often. Ride safe.
Bruce
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