Organization: Working Bikes
Mission: Collect and repair bicycles and redistribute them in needy local and global communities.
Activities: In 2019, Working Bikes collected over 13,049 used bicycles with the help of individuals, businesses and community organizations. Working Bikes held many bike collection events, often in conjunction with municipally supported recycling fairs, and provided information on safe-riding, basic bike repair, and recycling at dozens of community events. Countless individuals and entities including bike shops, property companies and police departments were donation drop off" partners for unwanted bicycles to be repurposed by Working Bikes. Hundreds of volunteers donated thousands of hours to Working Bikes in 2019 and facilitated the donation of 8,337 bikes (17 shipping containers) of used bicycles to our international partners in Africa, Central America and Middle Eastern countries. Volunteers and staff also repaired and donated 1,904 bicycles locally to low-income individuals in and around Chicago, including children, veterans, refugees, job-seekers, and clients of social service organizations through its local donation program. Working Bikes was a vital resource to the Chicagoland community throughout 2019. At four weekly volunteer sessions, volunteers served their community while building community with others in the space. CPS students fulfilled required community service hours, justice-involved individuals served court hours, and drop-in volunteers donated their time, learned bicycle mechanics, and shared meals together.
NTEE category: International, Foreign Affairs & National Security
Secondary category: Recreation & Sports