News & Events 2004-2005

Recycled Cycles

On October 31, Blair’s community service group, under the direction of faculty advisor Kaye Evans, collected 59 used, repairable bikes (adult’s and children’s) for a non-profit organization called Pedals for Progress.

The organization’s Web site explains, “Pedals for Progress targets areas of the world where things many of us take for granted in the U.S. are out of reach for the working poor, areas where commuting to a job five or 10 miles from home is almost impossible, public transportation doesn’t exist, gasoline is scarce and few can afford a car... Americans discard more than 5,000,000 bicycles each year. They buy 14,000,000 new ones. Those thousands of [discarded] bikes, otherwise destined for landfills, are now at work daily as basic transportation in some of the neediest regions around the globe. Some have been adapted for work hauling trash and recyclables, carrying produce or serving as taxis or farm machinery. Others are designated for recreational use by towns that sponsor cycling programs and make the bikes available to people who otherwise get few opportunities for recreation.”

“Bikes for parts” or disassembled bikes were not accepted. A donation to cover shipping costs was necessary for each bike given; suggested minimum was $10 per bike. (All cash and material donations are tax-deductible.)

Collected bikes will now be transported overseas in 40-foot shipping containers and packed with spare parts for future repairs. Twelve years ago, Dave Schweidenback of High Bridge, New Jersey, founded Pedals for Progress. The National Peace Corps Association, Bicycling magazine and Rotary International are among the groups that recognize the efforts of Pedals for Progress.

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