4,000 Bikes and Counting

For those who missed it at Pedals for Progress — this is the story we told that night. On September 24, supporters filled the Goei Center for our fourth annual celebration of the riders, volunteers, and partners who make Upcycle Bikes work. The video says it better than we can.

Every bike that leaves our shop starts as a donation, gets rebuilt by volunteers, and goes to a rider at no cost through one of more than 70 partner organizations across West Michigan. For most of those riders it isn't recreation: 80% have household incomes under $25,000, 79% ride daily, and 83% use the bike to get to work, appointments, or school. This year we passed 1,000 bikes distributed — and since 2022, more than 4,000 have rolled out of our shop and into someone's life.

To the Bea Aldrink Idema Foundation, our sponsors, volunteers, partners, and donors — thank you. You're the reason the bike is free to the rider.

Help us keep counting: bring a bike to our Fall Bike Drive on Saturday, October 24, 10 am–2 pm at the shop.