Working Bikes
 | |
| Founded | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Amy Little, Lee Ravenscroft |
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Location |
|
Area served | Africa, Central and South America |
| Slogan | Giving old bikes a new home |
| Website | Working Bikes |
Working Bikes Cooperative is a not-for-profit tax-exempt 501(c)3 volunteer-driven organization based in Chicago, IL that aims to divert bicycles from the waste stream and put them to use in Chicago and abroad.[1] It operates a warehouse, shipping center, repair shop and retail outlet from its location in the Pilsen neighborhood.[2] Working Bikes mission is to provide bicycles to charity organizations in the Chicago area to benefit youth, transitioning homeless and refugees as well as to ship bicycles to the Gulf Coast and around the world.[3]
Each year Working Bikes gives away approximately 5,000 bikes.[3] To date Working Bikes has distributed over 50,000 bikes.
Background
Working Bikes was started by Lee Ravenscroft simply by collecting old discarded bikes and fixing them up.[1] Later he intercepted bikes being hauled by 'metal scrappers' on their way to recycling centers. From there Working Bikes has grown from a one man garage operation to its first location at 927 & 1125 (the warehouse & storefront, respectively) S. Western Avenue to its current home of a three floor 20,000 square feet warehouse at 2434 S. Western Avenue.[2]
Storefront
Working Bikes sells refurbished bikes to the public as well as operates a full repair shop which funds the operation along with program funding, grants and individual donations.[4]
Volunteers and Partners
As operations manager Paul Fitzgerald says "Without the volunteers Working Bikes would not be able to operate". Volunteers help with everything from repairing bikes, aiding customers to packing 500 or so bicycles into forty foot containers that are shipped around the world.
In addition Working Bikes would not be able to operate with out the many individuals and organizations that do bike drives and collect bicycles. These efforts provide the bikes that are shipped out as well as those that are sold in the store front.
Global Partners
Working Bikes ships regularly cargo containers full of bikes to its various global partners which include:
- Angolia Share Circle
- Costa Rica Fundación Integral Campesina (FINCA)
- El Salvador Fundación Salvadoreña para la Salud y el Desarrollo Humano (FUSAL)
- Ghana Ability Bikes, Village Bicycle Project
- Guatemala Maya Pedal
- Namibia Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN)
- Nicaragua Peaceworks
- Panama Global Goodwill Panama
- Peru Corprodeli
- South Africa Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN)
- Uganda Prisoners Support Organization
- Zambia Hands of Hope
In addition to sending bikes, shipments also include; cycling helmets, a full range of spare parts, wheelchairs, crutches and even sewing machines to low income areas where these donations can make a notable impact on the lives of the recipients.
See also
References
- 1 2 Margaret Sheridan (March 24, 2013). "Remarkable Woman: Amy Little". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- 1 2 Kevin Warwick (May 5, 2011). "Working Bikes Co-op welcomes all bikes, even the really screwed-up ones". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- 1 2 Dan Bush (Apr 7, 2011). "Working Bikes Cooperative". UPChicago. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- ↑ "Working Bikes Cooperative". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2013-06-08.