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The Major League Baseball Players Trust – Volunteers of America Action Team National Youth Volunteer Program

Indianapolis Action Team: Peddle Power!

Planning a Summer “Bike Roundup” Refurbishing Project

What do you do with old bikes that have a few problems here and there but, with repairs, can still have plenty of peddle power? The Indianapolis Action Team has an answer: develop a service project around refurbishing used bikes for children.  Indianapolis Action Team Captain Katelyn Hendrickson reports that her team has been collecting bicycles to donate. To raise money to buy parts for repairing the bikes, team members baked cookies to sell at home softball games. The bikes and parts are being sent to a nearby correctional facility, where inmates will repair the bikes. Then they will be distributed to kids in need.

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10 Start-to-Finish Tips for Your Bike Project 

Volunteer in your community to give needy kids the chance to own a bike. There are many ways of organizing a Bike Roundup refurbishing project. You can follow the Indianapolis model and involve an outside group in repairing the bikes. Or limit the donated bikes to “gently used” ones that don’t need major repairs.

Here are planning tips from start to finish for a project that can be done entirely by your group. Begin now to organize your Bike Roundup day. Imagine the fun for kids who’ve never owned a bike to be able to ride in your community’s July 4th parade!

1. Team up with knowledgeable groups: Work with a nonprofit organization that can identify needy families and help in distributing the bikes, such as a local food bank or food pantry, or a family services agency. (A registered nonprofit can also offer the incentive of a charitable tax deduction for those who donate bikes and helmets.) In addition, partner with a local bike club or shop. You need teens and adults who can assess the condition of donated bikes and ensure refurbished bikes are safe to ride.
   
   
2. Decide on a date, time, and place for the Bike Roundup. You need a location large enough to set up stations for the different steps in the refurbishing process (see Tip #9) and a water source for cleaning the bikes. Choose a location where families receiving the bikes will feel comfortable and can get to easily.
   
   
3. Spread the word: You need bikes! At least two weeks in advance, get the word out in your community asking people to donate gently used bikes and bike helmets. Put a notice in your local newspaper and on a community Web site. Make signs to post around the community. Specify where and when to drop off the bikes and helmets. Include a phone number or e-mail address that people can contact for more information.
   
   
4. Organize a bike-pickup service: Some people who have bikes to donate will not be able to get them to you. Plan for a pickup truck or van and willing driver and assistant to collect bikes as needed. Maybe a local moving company will be willing to help out. If you don’t have a place to store the bikes, schedule all pickups for the morning of the Bike Roundup.
   
   
5. Ask for donations: Check with local stores that sell bikes about donating bike parts, helmets, and accessories. Ask about returns or overstock items, such as training wheels, baskets, bells, and handlebar streamers. Typical parts needed are pedals, handlebars, and chains. Also ask about donations of bows and ribbon for decorating each “new” bike for presentation. (Be sure to publicly acknowledge all stores that donate.)
   
   
6. Assemble your expertise and equipment: Make sure you will have teens and adults at the Bicycle Roundup who can check and do light repairs of bikes. If your Bike Roundup will run several hours, schedule shifts so you have the entire time covered. If you’ve partnered with a bike club or shop, ask them to take the lead in planning for needed equipment to check bike brakes, tire pressure, and so on.
   
   
7. Notify families: You have bikes! Ask your partner agency to take charge of letting families know about the Bike Roundup. Set a limit, such as three bikes per family, to ensure as many kids as possible get bikes.
   
   
8. Get the important paperwork together: Check with your partner agency about providing these: Agreement for families to sign that waives all parties of responsibility when families accept a refurbished bike, and forms acknowledging the donation of bikes and helmets for tax purposes.
   
   
9. Organize stations for the big day: Set up stations and designate a leader and workers for each. Make big signs to identify: DROP OFF (receiving the donated bikes and helmets); CHECK (assessing condition and needed repairs); REPAIR (only bikes needing repairs move on to this station): CLEAN UP (washing the bikes; also do paint touchups if possible); SPRUCE UP (optional station – for adding baskets, bells, streamers); PICK UP (this is where the bows go on and bikes are ready to go) Have a foolproof system to ensure every bike has been checked, tested, and is safe to ride. Use a star or happy face as the “inspection” sticker. Bikes get stickers either at the CHECK station (if no repairs are needed) or at the REPAIR station. The leader at CLEAN UP makes sure each bike has a sticker or sends it back to CHECK.
   
   
10. Welcome families to “shop”: You also need a system to ensure families get their turn to choose bikes. Here’s a recommended process that is fair and fun. When families arrive, each takes a number. When you are ready to distribute the bikes, call the numbers and give each family a few minutes to browse and select bikes. Have teen or adult hosts to help in choosing bikes and move the selection process along. You’ll also need some able bike techs to add training wheels for kids who may be getting their first bike and need some extra “peddle power” to start!