What is a bike collection?   A bike collection is typically a three- or four-hour one-time event, sponsored by a faith community, service club, or business, generally held on a weekend morning or afternoon in the spring or fall, to which the public is invited to bring and donate unwanted but (re)usable bicycles along with a $10 suggested contribution.  Anywhere from half a dozen to a dozen or more volunteers are needed at any one time to assist donors in getting bikes out of their cars, compact the bikes, write out receipts for donors, and at the end load the bikes into a waiting truck.

Why would I or my institution want to do a bike collection?   Local organizations sponsor bike collections for many reasons.  One is to fulfill the sponsoring organization’s mission—to educate participants, to help others less fortunate, or to enhance stewardship of the Earth’s resources, to name a few.  Bikes for the World’s mission is to provide affordable transport to beneficiaries to enable them to improve their lives through their own efforts, and a bike drive is the foundation of our efforts to achieve this mission.  A collection is also a tangible, satisfying team-building exercise for sponsors, in which group members work together for a common objective.  It teaches something about bicycles, in a fun, un-pressured environment.  Finally, it gets the sponsor’s name and program out in front of the general community.

Typical collection sponsors include churches, synagogues, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, Jaycees, a schools or service learning programs, youth groups including Boy and Girl Scout troops, environmental clubs, and even businesses and municipal recycling programs. 

What do I have to do to sponsor a bike collection?  A sponsor agrees to publicize, host, manage, and staff a collection.  No prior bike mechanic experience is required to manage a collection or process a bike.  However, some instruction and/or mentoring is required to facilitate a successful collection and process the expected inflow of bikes (see “Collection Manager Guidelines”).

What does Bikes for the World provide?  Bikes for the World provides general written guidelines, regular e-mail and phone consultation, and essential items for a collection--a banner, supplies (brochures, receipts), and most tools.  BfW generally provides a volunteer resource person during the event, and a truck to remove the bikes at the end.  Most importantly, Bikes for the World provides a credible program benefiting the poor, and a specific destination for the bikes. 

Why would anyone donate a bike and $10 at our collection?   The fact is, people do, and it is essential for the program’s success and growth.  Bikes for the World offers the tangible service of putting an individual’s unwanted bike to good use.  It costs money to do this and Bikes for the World does not generally sell donated items.  The Washington-Baltimore region’s affluent, transient and internationally-minded population is generally willing to donate $10 or more to get a bike to its destination—in effect, paying for the satisfaction of putting an old bike to good use AND creating more space in his or her home.  Bikes for the World is increasingly known to the public and enjoys a good reputation, gaining favorable mentions in national publications such as Rodale’s Bicycling Magazine and Better Homes and Gardens, and winning donated graphic design services in CreateAThon 2005

How much prep is needed before an event?  Publicity is key!  The more the word gets out, the more bikes will come in.  Have sponsor group members do as much as possible.  (That will also help in recruiting volunteers for event day.)  Some items (table, chairs, additional wrenches, refreshments, etc.) should be secured before the event.  No training of volunteers is required before showing up on the day of the event.

Do I need to know anything about bike mechanics?  No, no prior mechanic skills are required…although it always helps.   To ready the bikes for storage and shipment, the sponsor’s volunteers remove pedals and tie them to the frame, turn handlebars, lower seats, and remove baskets, using common wrenches and an occasional specialized tool (the latter provided by Bikes for the World).  If need be, a Bikes for the World volunteer can usually assist at a first-time collection, or help at the end when loading the truck.

Who is responsible for carrying the bikes away?  Generally, Bikes for the World will arrange beforehand for a volunteer and rental truck to bring the bikes back to Bikes for the World’s storage site (presently in McLean VA). 

Who gets these bikes?  The vast majority of bikes donated to Bikes for the World are donated in turn to non-profit community development programs in Africa, Latin America, and other regions of the developing world.  Among the current partner organizations are affiliates of Goodwill International, Rotary International, and the Blessing Basket Project, as well as independent local agencies qualified by Bikes for the World. 

A small number of bicycles are donated to non-profit programs providing employment and training services in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area, including the Latin American Youth Center/Maryland, Project Hope and Harmony (Herndon VA), the City of Rockville’s Character Counts Program, and Bikes for the World’s own youth program (Rockville MD).  In exceptional cases (such as an item considered inappropriate for shipping overseas, or with premium value), a bike or other item may be sold to raise program funds.

Q. Who else does Bikes for the World work with?  Bikes for the World works with the Recycling Offices of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Montgomery counties and the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church; with the impound lots of the Arlington, Vienna, and Herndon Police Departments; with bike retailers including Hudson Trail Outfitters, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), BikesatVienna, Bob’s Bikes, Pedal Pushers, and Race Pace Bicycles, and with the bicycle industry including Mel Pinto Imports, the Brunswick Corporation, and ProNet (distributor of Selle Italia saddles).