Donate a bicycle to the Community Cycling Center

By White Lotus Media on April 22, 2014 • ( 0 )

Saturday, April 26th, 2014
10:00am – 3:00pm

Help get people into cycling.

http://www.communitycyclingcenter.org

Who is the Community Cycling Center

The Community Cycling Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 in Northeast Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to broaden access to bicycling and its benefits. Our vision is to build a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds use bicycles to stay healthy and connected.

The Beginning

The Community Cycling Center started as a bicycle riding and repair school for kids when founder Brian Lacy noticed kids riding on broken bikes. A trained mechanic, he had an idea: show kids how to fix their bikes and encourage them to try it themselves next time. Then, use the fixed bikes to explore the neighborhood, meet neighbors and learn the history of the area. The concept really came alive when people donated bikes they no longer needed to help those who needed them. In this way, the bicycle became a tool for empowerment.

Where We Are Now

Over time and with the creative contributions of many community-minded people, the Community Cycling Center has grown into a robust nonprofit. We operate a bike shop that specializes in used and refurbished bicycles and helps new riders build their skills and confidence. While we promote safe riding for all, we recognize that the benefits of bicycling are not equally accessible, so we prioritize programs and projects that benefit underserved communities that enable kids to ride to school, adults to ride to work, and for lots of people to ride for health. In 2009, we completed a needs assessment, Understanding Barriers to Bicycling, which provided the foundation for community collaborations, where we work closely with community partners to develop programs and projects that overcome barriers. In this way, the bicycle is a vehicle for community change.

Where Are We Headed?

We believe that all Portlanders, regardless of their income, education or ethnic background, should have the opportunity to choose healthy, active transportation allowing them to live a long, healthy life. So we will be working to make bicycles accessible to get to work or school, spend time with friends or family, or simply explore the city. We will work collaboratively with community partners to overcome barriers to bicycling while building community capacity. We will look at ways to create pathways to employment and engagement within the growing bicycle movement, including jobs as educators, advocates, and mechanics. We will do this so that the promise of a healthy, sustainable Portland is possible for all of its residents.