Bikes Not Bombs

By Marita Hartshorn

While driving along Lexington Streets on trash day my wandering eyes often spot discarded bicycles on the side of the road. If only these people knew about Bikes Not Bombs they could turn their trash into a useful means of transportation for kids in Boston or South Africa or Ghana or El Salvador or even New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Boston students can become proud owners of shiny like-new bikes with fully working components.

To earn a bike, students come three times a week for five weeks and learn how to refurbish old bikes, to ride safely, to gain environmental awareness, and to live healthy.

In 15 years of operation, Bikes Not Bombs have shipped 24,909 bikes internationally. Bikes Not Bombs accepts children's, off-road, hybrid, mountain, and touring bikes which are rust free. They do not accept wheel size smaller than 20 inches. To learn more about donating a bike or bike related items or other opportunities at Bikes Not Bombs, visit their website at www.BikesNotBombs.org or call them at 617-442-0004. Arlington has the closest drop off point for those unable to drive to Jamaica Plain.