EVENTS

Don't miss the 15th annual STOP, SWAP AND SAVE, the mid-Atlantic’s largest indoor bicycle swap and consumer expo series. If you’ve never made it to the SWAP before, don’t miss out in 2012!  The STOP, SWAP AND SAVE is the place to sell your old parts and bikes or take advantage of unbelievable deals on everything you need for a great season of cycling. Buy, sell, browse, shop, trade or just hang out with industry reps, individual vendors, bike shops, manufacturers and like-minded cyclists!

Admission is still only $5 and includes thousands of square feet (yes, it's all indoor and heated) of everything that cycling has to offer. Whether you’re looking for road, mountain, triathlon, BMX, vintage, new or used, there’s something for everyone!

Bikes for the World is the one of the event's sponsored charities.  We will be collecting donations of bikes and bike parts and accesssories, and will offer information to potential donors, collection sponsors, and the cycling public at large.  

Read more from our past events HERE 

COLLECTIONS

Our Spring Collection Schedule is forming now. If you want to host a BfW Collection at your school, organization, or faith group call or write to schedule today.  office(at)bikesfortheworld.org or 703.740.7856.

If you want to donate a bike now, you can always donate a bike at one of our participating bike shops any time of the year. You can find that list HERE. Or wait until spring and find a collection site near you; we typically support over 50 sites during the spring.

Additionally, Bikes for the World appreciates ALL of our collection managers for their dedication and support.  More than 70% of our bikes come in via sponsored events in your community.  In addition, the vast majority of bikes are "processed" (compacted) by volunteers. Without your work, and that of your fellows, we could not deliver 9,000 bicycles annually at the low cost that we currently do.  THANK YOU!

RECENT SHIPMENTS

On Saturday November 19th, 17 enthusiastic volunteers from Tera Think, a local information technology firm, joined Bikes for the World to load a container bound for Costa Rica. The shipment of 508 bicycles and 4 sewing machines was sent to BFW’s long-time non-profit partner FINCA Costa Rica.

The crew loaded the 40', 3,000-cubic foot shipping container in 4.5 hours, a new Bikes for the World speed record.  Many thanks to BfW volunteers Rich Robinson and Craig Annear for leading this effort.

At the same time, Tera Think's "apprentice mechanics" also compacted some 150 bikes with guidance from BfW volunteer Bob Evans, and reorganized our Lorton storage facility--the former Lorton Prison gymnasium (see adjoining photo), in preparation for another container due to go out later this winter.

Read more about Costa Rica...

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

December News: Bikes for the Philippines turned over 58 bicycles to Bikes for Education Baclayon.  They have insurance to cover bicycle beneficiaries, shoes were donated by ROX, and tail lights from the Firefly Brigade.  Helmets will also be provided to all cyclists.  Mabuhay!

Bikes for the Philippines started as a tool to help children ease the  hardship in their young lives of simply getting to school. Recipients are hand picked and given classroom instruction on bike safety and maintenance.  They are also taught bike handling skills by local bike clubs on a newly created skills course. More advanced courses in mechanics will be given to a select few.   

You can follow the Bikes for the Philippines progress on our Facebook page and read more about the program HERE.

LOCAL PROGRAMS

Here in the DC Metro region we continue to work with several local groups providing both bikes and rewarding community service projects. Over the past year we have partnered with the Stone Ridge Social Action Program.  Students from Stone Ridge of the Sacred Heart came out to King Farm every other Wednesday to help process bikes and load containers bound for remote villages overseas.  Six Boy Scouts have earned their Eagle rank through managing a Bikes for the World bike collection as a required community service project. 

We also provided bikes on a select case-by-case basis to several organizations.  Earlier this year, Bikes for the World reconditioned and donated 20 bikes to a day labor program in Montgomery County, administered by CASA de Maryland.  We also donated 27 reconditioned bikes to  elementary school students earning them through participation in the City of Rockville's TERRIFIC program, which promotes good values and deeds among participating youth.  Meanwhile, Bikes for the World donated more than 50 un-refurbished children's bikes to the following three Northern VA "Christmas bike" programs: Bikes for Tykes and Teens (Mt Vernon/Rt 1 Corridor); Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill Bike Project (Alexandria); and Communities Helping Others (CHO) (Vienna).  

Bikes for the World rescued more than 1,700 bikes during 2011 at the Montgomery County Waste Transfer Station--bikes tossed into the waste stream by county residents but found to be in repairable or better condition.  The County has fenced off a signed area for reeiving and  holding the bikes awaiting Bikes for the World pick-up.  Most of those bikes have already been re-cycled whole, overseas, helping villagers get to school, work, and medical services.  Others were stripped for parts that were also shipped overseas.

 VOLUNTEERING

We regularly host a volunteer night on Thursdays where you can come out to King Farm and help process bikes, but during the winter we head into hibernation because the barn is not heated. If you are interested in finding out more you can watch the Intro to Volunteering video or call Nick at 301.461.5349

We are always looking for new collection managers to help with our collections in the spring and fall.  And the 2012 schedule is now forming so don't delay in scheduling YOUR collection TODAY.  For more information send Yvette an email office(at)bikesfortheworld.org or call 703.740.7856 Check here for current opportunities.

IN THE NEWS

Video:
  +  Bikes for the Philippines Video by Buhay Pinoy
Description: Hear Joel Uichico describe how Bikes for the Philippines got its start and what they've accomplished so far.
  +  Parks Rec n Roll Video by County Cable Montgomery
Description: See a collection (by Eagle Scout candidate Tyler Rodriguez) and loading (with Stone Ridge)

Articles:
  + Where There's a Wheel There's a Way Ex Pat Philippines Article by Agnes Abrau
      Bikes for the Philippines program in Baclayon Bohol Philippines
  +  Knights of Columbus collect used bikes Frederick Gazette Article by Kacie Peterson
       Read about The Knights of Columbus San Juan Bosco Council No. 14726 in Fredrick who hosted a BfW collection in November
  +  Bikes for the Future Philippine Star Article by Susan Isorena-Arcega
        Joel Uichico talks about Bikes for the Philippines
  +  On The Right Track Philippine Daily Inquirer Article by Ruel S. De Vera
      More on Bikes for the Philippines.  Joel Uichico introduces the program and tells of plans for the future.

NEWSLETTER

Bikes for the World Director Keith Oberg shares the latest accomplishments in our newsletter.  Find out the latest statistics, events, collection highlights, and overall news straight from Keith himself.

You can sign up to receive this newsletter right in your inbox or see it HERE.

OPPORTUNITY

Bikes for the World seeks additional members for its Board of Directors.  The six current Directors anticipate electing as many as three new Board members, with the objective of strengthening the Board's ability to guide the organization and enhance its effectiveness and sustainability. Click here to see full description...

Bikes for the World is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 2005, incorporated February 2011, and now the nation's largest bicycle reuse program.