BLOG (Glenn Murray): Find a good home for those bikes your kids have outgrown

I hate when​ I go to our Valley East Dump and see all the bicycles there, some looking in not too bad a shape, and I think, what a waste.

There was a time folks when this wouldn’t happen until the bike was completely clapped out. Once a child outgrew their bike it was passed on to a younger relative or even neighbour or friend. Nowadays,  bike are left out in the elements to rust to the point that they are no longer repairable.

What happened to reuse and recycle? Has that great adage been forgotten?

Well here’s an opportunity to redeem yourself and all you will have to do is take that old bike from where it has been stored and wait for myself or one of my colleagues to pick it up. We will give it the ol’ once over and if it’s in reasonable condition we will put it in a safe and serviceable condition so we can pass it on. The recipient of the refurbished bicycle will be asked to either give us another bike as a trade-in, or a cash donation so we can purchase parts and supplies to continue in our work.

Bikes that cannot be repaired or repaired at a reasonable cost have the usable parts removed and what is left is sold to a recycler. Only the worn out tires are taken to the dump.

Right now, we are in the final stages of obtaining a site where we can both store our refurbished bikes and have the bike exchange as well.

This year we are no longer going to attempt to turn bikes around on the same day they are brought in, It is simply too difficult and stressful to do. Instead, the bikes will be taken off site for assessment, service, and possible repair.

Until all our ducks are in order, you can contact me at murrays.mailbox@gmail.com. We are expecting to have a drop off site as we did last year as well as a number you can call. I’ll be happy to hear from you.

Glenn Murray