Recycle-A-Bicycle

Recycle-a-Bicycle
Website	https://www.bike.nyc/recycleabicycle/
Email	info@bike.nyc
Founded	1998
Location	New York, New York, United States
Language	English;
Services Offered	DIY Repair Services; Earn-A-Bike Services; Workshops; Group Rides; Bicycle Advocacy;
Phone	212-682-2340

Recycle-A-Bicycle (RAB) is a community-based bike shop and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that facilitates job training and environmental education. Through innovative programs such as Earn-A-Bike, Green Jobs Training Programs, High School Internships, Recycled Arts Workshops, Summer Youth Employment Program, and Kids Ride Club, RAB is dedicated to the health, development, stewardship, and empowerment of NYC youth. In the past year alone, more than 1,000 RAB youth collectively refurbished 500 bicycles, pedaled 10,000 miles, and burned 1,500,000 calories. On average, RAB salvages 1,200 bicycles each year from the waste stream, diverting a total of 36,000 pounds of waste from NYC's landfills. Every purchase from our storefronts directly supports our youth programs and environmental initiatives.

Contact Info

140 E. 45th Street Floor 20, Suite 20B New York, NY 10017 Email: info@bike.nyc Phone: 212-682-234

Recycle-A-Bicycle consists of two storefronts (in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and Dumbo, Brooklyn), an education center (in Long Island City, Queens), and seven school-based programs, five of which are located in District 75. District 75 is a citywide district that provides educational opportunities for students with learning and developmental disabilities. In spring of 2010, RAB opened its first school-based shop on Staten Island, geographically locating the organization on every borough.

History

Recycle-A-Bicycle was first launched as a youth program that served as an outgrowth of Transportation Alternatives' advocacy mission in 1994. RAB salvaged discarded bicycles and created a school-based program that was co-sponsored by the Children’s Aid Society and Henry Street Settlement. In addition to learning bike mechanics, RAB youth began to explore their neighborhoods by bicycle. In time, RAB published "Tools for Life: A Start-Up Guide for Youth Recycling and Bicycling Programs" with sponsorship from the Environmental Protection Agency and “One Revolution at a Time: A Guide to Starting and Running Youth Bike Ride Clubs” with sponsorship from Bike New York.

With the support of Transportation Alternatives, RAB applied to become a non-profit organization and was granted 501(c)3 status in 1998. In the years that followed, Recycle-A-Bicycle has continued to grow and thrive with the support of both new and long-standing partnerships.

Currently, Recycle-A-Bicycle consists of two retail stores, an education workspace, and seven school-based programs located on all five boroughs. We are continually grateful to our growing community of youth, parents, educators, advocates, city agencies, elected officials, community partners, customers, and volunteers for all their hard work and support.

Recycle-A-Bicycle’s logo was created by renowned artist Eric Drooker. Eric Drooker grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and incorporated poster art into his portfolio of paintings and drawings. A true “people’s artist”, RAB is proud to have the spirit of his work represented in our organization.

The old website is available on archive.

Services Offered

In addition to our storefronts and workshops, Recycle-A-Bicycle engages communities through several events and advocacy initiatives like Bike Bonanzas, the League of American Bicyclists' National Bike Summit, and our annual Youth Bike Summit. As the economic and cultural climates of New York City evolve, Recycle-A-Bicycle recognizes that youth participation is an essential component to creating a sustainable cycling movement.