Bikes for Kids

Now is the time to take up biking. The Boys & Girls Club of Newark has opened up the Bike Exchange. The Exchange is selling bikes to the community at really discounted prices from $10 to high-end bikes of $400, but most of them are under $160. The Exchange has been open for just about a month and they've sold 24 bikes - including a Cannondale f600, which was worth $1100 and sold for $350. A typical child's bike for a 5-6year old is around $35 (as seen in pics - girl's blue bike with basket).

Bikes have come from donations from various Bike Stores and through individual donations. The bikes are reconditioned and sold by volunteers. The retail space where the Boys & Girls Club of Newark has setup shop is at 31 Central Avenue was donated by Prudential Real Estate. So that means - Virtually all money received from the sale of bikes goes to help support over 33 Newark Boys & Girls Club's programs.

The Bike Exchange was modeled after a program done by the Boys & Girls Club in Trenton - raising $200,000!

The official Grand Opening Date is September 17. There will be a ribbon cutting and celebration. You can get a free bike bottle with any bike purchase on that day.

Donate bikes or bike gear:
It is tax deductible. Drop off bikes at the Exchange or sponsor.
The Bike Exchange
31 Central Avenue
Thurs 5-8pm; Sat 10am-5pm
The exchange will be open year round except for 3 winter months.

Marty's Cycles
3 locations in Randolph, Hackettstown & Morristown
visit website or call them 973-538-7773

Volunteer: You do not need to be a bike mechanic or be interested in repairing bikes to work at the Bike Exchange. We need volunteers to help people select the best bike for them, and we need volunteers to move bikes from bike drives to the Exchange's shop...using a U-Haul rented truck.

No experience is necessary if you are interested in conditioning bikes for sale at the Exchange. We offer a bike repair course for all interested volunteers and the opportunity to practice your new skills on lots of bikes. This opportunity is extended to Scout Troops in need or requirements to fulfill a badge. We also love scouts 15 and older that volunteer at our Bike Exchange!

For more information:
http://www.bgcn.org/bike/