Recycle-A-Bicycle Inc

75 Avenue C, New York, New York, United States | Waste recycling

Recycle-A-Bicycle (RAB) utilizes the bicycle as a resource to foster youth development, environmental education, community engagement, and healthy living. Through retail storefronts, social entrepreneurship, and innovative programs, Recycle-A-Bicycle empowers the youth of New York City and beyond. RAB is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible and purchases from our storefronts support our youth education programs.

Recycle-A-Bicycle (RAB) is a community-based bike shop and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that facilitates job training and environmental education. Through innovative programs such as Earn-A-Bike, Green Jobs Training Programs, High School Internships, Recycled Arts Workshops, Summer Youth Employment Program, and Kids Ride Club, RAB is dedicated to the health, development, stewardship, and empowerment of NYC youth. In the past year alone, more than 1,000 RAB youth collectively refurbished 500 bicycles, pedaled 24,000 miles, and burned 1,750,000 calories. On average, RAB salvages 1,800 bicycles each year from the waste stream, diverting a total of 45,000 pounds of waste from NYC's landfills. Every purchase from our storefronts directly supports our youth programs and environmental initiatives.

Recycle-A-Bicycle consists of two storefronts (in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and Dumbo, Brooklyn), an education center (in Long Island City, Queens), and seventeen school-based programs, six of which are located in District 75. District 75 is a citywide district that provides educational opportunities for students with learning and developmental disabilities. In spring of 2010, RAB opened its first school-based shop on Staten Island, geographically locating the organization on every borough.

In addition to our storefronts and workshops, Recycle-A-Bicycle engages communities through several events and advocacy initiatives like Bike Bonanzas, the League of American Bicyclists' National Bike Summit, and our annual Youth Bike Summit. As the economic and cultural climates of New York City evolve, Recycle-A-Bicycle recognizes that youth participation is an essential component to creating a sustainable cycling movement.

HISTORY

Recycle-A-Bicycle was first launched as a youth program that served as an outgrowth of Transportation Alternatives' advocacy mission in 1994. RAB salvaged discarded bicycles and created a school-based program that was co-sponsored by the Children’s Aid Society and Henry Street Settlement. In addition to learning bike mechanics, RAB youth began to explore their neighborhoods by bicycle. In time, RAB published 'Tools for Life: A Start-Up Guide for Youth Recycling and Bicycling Programs' with sponsorship from the Environmental Protection Agency and “One Revolution at a Time: A Guide to Starting and Running Youth Bike Ride Clubs” with sponsorship from Bike New York.

With the support of Transportation Alternatives, RAB applied to become a non-profit organization and was granted 501(c)3 status in 1998. In the years that followed, Recycle-A-Bicycle has continued to grow and thrive with the support of both new and long-standing partnerships.

Currently, Recycle-A-Bicycle consists of two retail stores, an education workspace, and seven school-based programs located on all five boroughs. We are continually grateful to our growing community of youth, parents, educators, advocates, city agencies, elected officials, community partners, customers, and volunteers for all their hard work and support.

Recycle-A-Bicycle’s logo was created by renowned artist Eric Drooker. Eric Drooker grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and incorporated poster art into his portfolio of paintings and drawings. A true “people’s artist”, RAB is proud to have the spirit of his work represented in our organization.

YOUTH PROGRAMS: Recycle-A-Bicycle recognizes the bicycle as a resource to foster self-assurance and creativity among young people. We teach basic bicycle mechanics and repair, promote environmental stewardship, run a youth ride club, and lead workshops on recycled arts. Many of our students also participate in community events and projects, including volunteering as mechanics and marshals at benefit rides, refurbishing children’s bicycles for local charities and Kids Bike Swaps, and participating in bike rides and environmentally-focused events. Many of our youth participants go on to work in one of our stores or in bike shops throughout the city.

Earn-A-Bike: Students in our school-based programs have the opportunity to earn a bicycle. Once they have learned basic bicycle mechanics through RAB’s bike curriculum, students volunteer time after school and earn hours in exchange for a bicycle frame. Participants build bikes for themselves, friends, and family members, too.

We have programs in schools across the city.

Company Details
Company NameRecycle-A-Bicycle Inc
Business CategoryWaste recycling
Address75 Avenue C
New York
New York
United States
ZIP: NY 10009
PresidentNA
Year EstablishedNA
EmployeesNA
MembershipsNA
Hours of OperationMon - Sat Open 24 Hours

Similar Companies