This is the 9th year that I’m participating.  I support Bikes Not Bombs, a Boston-based organization, that combines 3 excellent activities:

• Receipt of donated bikes, so that they're recycled and kept out of the waste stream - about 6,000 donated bicycles annually
• Refurbishing the bikes and donating them to people living in developing countries, to improve transportation availability, and
• Education of Boston residents on bicycle repair and maintenance

A few years ago, I became a youth instructor and worked with Boston young people at Bikes Not Bombs to build their own bikes, learn how to ride bikes safely, and get exposed to environmental principles.  Since 2019 I’ve been refurbishing donated bikes for sale by the organization, as a fund-raising boost.

What hasn't COVID-19 affected?  After postponing the Bike-A-Thon from June to September, Bikes Not Bombs made the tough decision to create a virtual Bike-A-Thon.  No silly, it's not digitized; it's just that we can ride when we want.  On Sunday, September 13, I rode the 50-mile route with some cycling companions.  It was a perfect weather day for cycling.

You can donate through the button on the right, or else contact me about sending in a check and I'll be glad to give you details.
A few examples of what your donations can do:

• $20 would send one bike to a Bikes Not Bombs partner in the Global South providing their community with increased transportation accessibility.
• $50 will cover the cost of a bike lock for an Earn-A-Bike or Sisters in Action participant.
• $100 covers the cost of paying youth employees to teach one day of workshops in the Earn-A-Bike program here in Boston.
• $250 will cover the cost of refurbishing a bike for sale.

Even better, you can become a rider and raise some cash for the organization.  No, you don't have to ride 50 miles; there are other options.  For full information about the event, just click here: (Become a rider).
Bikes Not Bombs is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so all of your donations are tax-deductible. You can find out more about the organization, by clicking elsewhere on this page.

And yes, I'll be riding my recumbent.