Recycle Your Bicycle program offered at Four Rivers in Channahon for the first time
As you are spring cleaning this year, consider making room in your garage by donating unused or unwanted bicycles that are taking up space.
The bikes can then be donated to a good cause via the Forest Preserve District’s Recycle Your Bicycle program.
Both Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon and Monee Reservoir in Monee Township will serve as collection sites from April 13 to April 28.
Bikes can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to sunset daily at Four Rivers and 6 a.m. to sunset daily at Monee Reservoir.
Donated bikes and bike parts can be in any condition, from brand new to beyond repair.
All donated bikes and bike parts are given to Chicago-based Working Bikes, which refurbishes and distributes them locally and globally to those in need of an affordable and sustainable mode of transportation for work, school, community services, recreation and more.
Since 1999, Working Bikes has given new life to 100,000 bikes, both internationally and in the Chicago area.
“Over one hundred thousand people have been empowered to access resources and opportunities that otherwise could have been out of reach – reducing waste, lessening pollution, and improving health in the process,” the agency states on its website. “We know that bicycles are the most reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly transportation option available, and we’re working towards a world where everyone has access to bicycle transportation, whether in Africa or Chicago!"
Once the Recycle Your Bicycle program ends on April 28, Working Bikes will come with trucks to pick up the donated bicycles and bike parts. The Forest Preserve has been collecting bikes for recycling/reuse since 2011.