What We Do
Every bike is a new adventure.
Every rider experiences a new sense of freedom.
Upcycle Bikes was founded in 2022 with these sentiments and passions in mind. It all started with one well-meaning bike mechanic with a desire to impact his community in a new way. With the welcoming of new Afghan refugees into Grand Rapids and a Facebook post seeking support for their transportation needs, the idea for Upcycle Bikes took root. Thanks to strong community encouragement and a group of talented and passionate individuals, Upcycle Bikes is now easing transportation challenges across Grand Rapids.
Upcycle Bikes is a 501(c)(3), all volunteer, nonprofit organization that relies on bike and financial donations to satisfy our mission. Please consider giving your old bike new life and an individual in need new opportunities.
With your support and your old bike, we can upcycle together. We can make a profound impact in our community and a life-changing shift one rider at a time.
We provide quality, safe bikes for community members with transportation challenges.
Too many people and families in our community have basic transportation challenges. For them, the cost of a car and its associated expenses (insurance, repairs, fuel, etc.) is prohibitive. For some populations such as refugees, a driver’s license may not even be attainable because of their legal status. For these community members, it is not easy to get to work, school, the grocery store, the doctor, etc. They rely on public transportation which is limiting and volunteer support which is inconsistent.
Fortunately, there is a partial solution that is affordable: Bikes. The mission of Upcycle Bikes is to make bikes accessible to community members with transportation challenges. Bikes are practical, bikes are fun, and there are a lot of old, unused bikes that can be refurbished. They can become functional again. They can become safe again. They can be upcycled to provide a new sense of transportation freedom for a new set of riders.
We can get that old ride up and going again. We can provide an old bike a new purpose; a new life. Most importantly, we can provide someone in need with greater social and economic integration across our community.
… Upcycle Bikes’ bike donations allow refugees to go to work, school, tutoring classes, and other activities without relying on the bus or volunteers for transportation. We are so thankful for Upcycle Bikes for providing quality, safe bikes for our clients! …
Michelle L. Roub
Volunteer and Community Engagement Supervisor, Refugee and Domestic Services
Bethany Christian Services of Michigan