Recycle Your Cycle Community Bike Swap

The 4^th Annual Recycle Your Cycle Community Bike Swap on May 4th was a success! A fundraiser for Safe Routes to School, the swap is an opportunity for the community to sell and buy used bikes just in time for summer. Due to growing demand, this year the swap was moved to the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds 4H Building. This allowed more space for more bikes, as well as parts, gear, and clothing. The facility also provided shelter from iffy spring weather, which has been an issue for the swap in the past.

S.A.V.E.’s Transportation VISTA, Allison Batch, was the 2014 event chair. She notes, “We had a great turn out on both sides of the swap, of people selling and buying. With the new location and increased community outreach, we were able to sell almost five times as many bikes as last year. There’s a ton of community support in Helena for this event, and I think it will continue to grow every year.”

The swap brought in over $900 for Helena's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program through consignment fees and donated items. The benefit was especially important this year, as SRTS was not awarded funding through MDT's Transportation Alternatives program, and these may be the only funds available to continue the SRTS program next year. Safe Routes to School promotes safe biking and walking for kids through educational materials, the Bike Walk to School Challenge, and holding bike rodeos for kids coordinated with the Bookmobile.