University Park

Used bicycle collection to be held March 18 and 25

The Centre Region Bicycle Coalition (CRBC) and the Penn State Center for Sustainability (CfS) are collecting unwanted, usable bicycles that can be shipped to Kichwa communities near Tena, Ecuador, and used by kids to get to and from school.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 18 and 25, two bicycle collections will be held in the month of March at the MorningStar Solar Home, located at the Center for Sustainability’s Sustainability Experience Center (corner of Porter and Dauer Roads, just downhill from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park). The working, donated bicycles will help students whose educations are impeded by long walks to school (sometimes up to two hours) to complete their educations.

More detailed information about donating, including guidelines, can be found below. Those who can contribute $5 to $10 for shipping costs are asked to do so.

Guidelines for bicycle donations:

We will accept any usable child's or adult's bicycle, though mountain bikes and cruisers are most helpful. Bicycles in need of minor repairs (flat tires, a missing bolt or pedal or seat) are generally acceptable. Spare bike parts and accessories (such as tubes, tires, chains, cables, mountain bike handlebars, pumps, locks, helmets, gloves, wrenches, screwdriver, and hammers), as well as bicycle books and manuals -- in English or Spanish -- will be accepted.

For more information, contact Susannah Barsom, associate director of the Penn State Center for Sustainability at 814-865-3369.

Last Updated March 13, 2012