Where Do Abandoned Bicycles Go? In Some Cases, Madagascar

Mon, 6 Feb 2023 10:35:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/abandoned-bikes-donated-repaired-shipped-free/>

"At first glance, the turn-of-the-century brownstone on Western Avenue in
Chicago resembles any other bicycle repair shop. Several thousand bikes in all
sizes and colors are crammed into the Working Bikes warehouse, awaiting their
new future.

“We process about 11,000 bikes a year and find new homes for all of them,” says
Trevor Clarke, a former lawyer and Working Bikes’ executive director. What
distinguishes Working Bikes is not just the volume but the cause: “We collect
bikes that are unused, abandoned or potentially going to waste and find them
the best home possible.” Working Bikes gives bicycles away for a token sum or
even for free to people who need them most.

Thousands of bikes a year are donated by “people who have them sitting in their
garages,” says Clarke. Many are Schwinns, a brand manufactured in Chicago until
the early ’80s. Donations also come from bicycle shops (where some customers
abandon bikes), cities, police departments, universities, parks, condo
managers, and all kinds of other sources, giving new meaning to the old saying,
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Working Bikes volunteers and staff
sort the bikes and determine the best use for each."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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