The Bike Exchange shop.
The Trenton Boys & Girls Club Bike Exchange is set to open for the 2014 cycling season on March 22.
The missions of this all-volunteer effort are to get bikes into the community and to raise money for the the Trenton Boys & Girls Club after school programs.
The Bike Exchange is an all-volunteer effort that collects, repairs and sells bikes donated by community members.
In five years, the Bike Exchange has sold 8970 low-priced bikes and raised $415,124, after all expenses, for the Trenton Boys & Girls Club.
Additionally, the Bike Exchange has an intern program that provides teenagers the opportunity to learn about bike repair and apply new skills. Last year, the Bike Exchange implemented a program with the N.J. Department of Corrections where inmates repair bikes from a DOC facility in Trenton.
The organization is seeking volunteers to manage the shop for one three-hour shift most months. Managing the shop involves opening, closing and counting the sales; bike repair experience and knowledge of bikes is not necessary.
The Bike Exchange also needs volunteers to help transport bikes and repair bikes.
Interested volunteers can email info@bikeexchangenj.org.
Community members can donate bikes by bringing them to Bike Exchange in Capitol Plaza Shopping Center, 1500 North Olden Ave., Ewing. Hours of operation are 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Bicycle shops across Mercer County are also accepting donations.
Anyone can purchase a used bike at the shop.
More information, including a list of bike drop points, is online at bikeexchangenj.org.
