Spring Cleaning = Room for New Bikes and Stuff!

By JW Haupt

I hope that this message finds you and your loved ones healthy.  

Although it may not feel like it just yet, it’s Spring and it is time to move out some of that old stuff to make room for new stuff!
 
Although the club is not yet supporting group rides, I wanted to reach out to you to see if you are willing to help out two of the local bike organization – Newark Bike Project (NBP) and Urban Bike Project (UBP).  During this health crisis these two organizations are seeing an increase in bike sales and their stock of available bikes is dwindling.  They need your unused stuff to replenish their stock so that they can put bikes in the hands of those that could use them.
 
In case you aren’t aware, these two organizations collect used, underutilized bikes and find a new home for them.  They take whole bikes and even bike parts and tools to prepare bikes for resale and for their free bike program.  
 
With that, WCBC is helping by getting the word out about a bike drop for Saturday, May 16th at two locations – one in the North Wilmington area for UBP and one in the Newark area for NBP.  We hope that you can support these fine organizations that support the local cycling community by bringing donated items to their bike drops, detailed further below.
 
Things we CAN use:
  • any adult (24″+ wheel) indoor-kept bikes in any mechanical condition, all types (road/mountain/hybrid/city/cruiser), including partial bikes, older bikes, tandems, recumbents
  • trail-a-bikes, trailers
  • any working bike parts, bike accessories, wheels, working pumps, clean apparel, working trainers
  • car bike racks (if undamaged and complete with fasteners)
  • tools and bike related supplies (stands, oils, solvents, clean rags)
  • cycling shoes
 
We generally CANNOT use:
  • outdoor stored bikes with rusted bearings
  • items that have only scrap metal value
  • youth bikes** (20″ wheel size and smaller) – **cannot accept now, but please consider donating them in the fall for holiday gifting programs to families in need
 
Contact-less donations for your safety and the safety of the volunteers.  You can remove your donations from your vehicle and leave them for the on-site volunteers to collect after you depart.  Since donations are tax deductible, if you leave a note with your name and email address on your donated items the organization will email the paperwork directly to you.
 
====================================================================
 
Urban Bike Project
Bike Drop Details
WHEN:
May 16th, 10 am – 2 pm 
WHERE:
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (confirmed)
1314 Foulk Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
 
Urban Bike Project has experienced unprecedented demand for bikes this spring since the emergency stay-at-home order was issued. To meet this demand, we’ve set a goal of distributing 200 free and affordable bikes in one month! Affordable used bikes are available for sale to the general public online at www.urbanbikeproject.com/buy-a-bike. Free bikes will be distributed in conjunction with several emergency food pantries across the city. Please consider supporting this initiative with bicycle and parts donations or financial contributions. Your unused bike could be someone’s transportation to an essential job, their new favorite hobby, or a lifeline for someone struggling to stay happy and healthy during these difficult times. For more information on how you can help, visit http://www.urbanbikeproject.com/get-involved/
 
 

Bike Drop Off Location for UBP

 
Contact information:
Laura Wilburn
Cell: (302) 740-4506
Office: (302) 300-4323
 
Urban Bike Project Business Location
1500 North Walnut Street
Wilmington, DE
 
====================================================================
 
Newark Bike Project
Bike Drop Details
WHEN:
Saturday May 16th 2020, 10am to 5:30pm
WHERE:
Newark Bike Project, Inc.
136 South Main Street (formerly Elkton Road)
Newark, DE 19711
(next to FedEx, and across from the BP gas station)
Map link – https://goo.gl/maps/EVzuj4js8tg2m9F4A
 
If you cannot make this day, we are also available to receive donations at our shop from Noon to 5pm daily, and until 9pm on Mondays and Thursdays.

QUESTIONS? 
Please text or call Jamie Magee (NBP) at 571-432-7135 anytime prior to or during the event.
 
Drop off instructions and diagram…
A car can pull around back along the green one-way route as pictured below (it’s the only path through the lot), stopping right at our back door, which has large glass windows into the shop, so we can see if anyone pulls up. Other cars can drive past. 
 

Bike Drop Off Location for NBP

 
====================================================================
 
Should you have any question, please contact the organizations directly.
 
Regards,
JW Haupt
WCBC President