Bike Exchange in Mercer County gives old bicycles new life while supporting local youth
The group has raised more than $2 million for the organization and refurbished more than 30,000 bicycles since it started. Many of the bikes come from community drives, corporate collections or walk-in donations.
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A program in Mercer County is repairing and reselling donated bicycles to support youth programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Mercer County.
The Bike Exchange, based in Ewing Township, has been collecting, fixing and selling used bicycles since 2009. Every dollar from each sale goes directly to the Boys & Girls Club, according to volunteer director Ira Saltiel.
The group has raised more than $2 million for the organization and refurbished more than 30,000 bicycles since it started. Many of the bikes come from community drives, corporate collections or walk-in donations.
“We have staff who organize bike drives with local communities, companies, and many of the bikes just come right into the front door," Saltiel said. "We’re so well-known now that on a Saturday, we can get 20.”
Volunteers repair the bikes at nine workstations inside the shop. Each station is equipped with tools and parts salvaged from bicycles that can’t be fully restored.
For longtime volunteer Charlie Gold, the program offers both purpose and enjoyment.
“I always like fixing, so I can fix things and enjoy myself and give back to the Boys & Girls Club,” he said.
Another volunteer, Ed, said the mission behind the work keeps him coming back.
“It gives so much back to the community,” he said. “It’s been fun, and yet you feel like you’re doing something really nice.”
The Bike Exchange was recognized by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for its recycling efforts. The group says it has kept 31,000 bicycles out of the waste stream.
