Recycle Outgrown, Used Bikes At Elmhurst Charity Event

ELMHURST, IL — If you are looking to donate or get rid of any outgrown or gently used bicycles, you can do so at an upcoming charity event in Elmhurst. A "Pedal Power" event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Stemples Cycle Center, 494 Spring Road.

According to a release, “Pedal Power” started in 2008 by Nicole and Bennett Basil of Wilmette and involves the collection and distribution of outgrown, unused, and gently used bikes. The bikes donated to “Pedal Power” are inspected and then given to Chicago Public School student as a reward for earning good grades and making the honor roll.

Over the past ten years, bike collection points have been established in Wilmette, Palatine, Northbrook, Glenview, Lake Forest, Evanston, Winnetka, Skokie and Libertyville.

Grant and Lauren Schleiter of Elmhurst, who are friends of the Basil's decided to extend this charity effort to their community. Grant, a seventh grader at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Elmhurst and his sister, Lauren, a freshman at Fenwick High School, approached Stemples Cycle Center about serving as a collection point and the bike center agreed.

According to the Schleiters', Stemples will perform quick safety checks on all of the bikes dropped off and will perform minor repairs if necessary. Any bikes needing greater repair and/or parts will be donated to the Northside Learning Center which educates people with cognitive disabilities in its bike repair course. As a result, every bicycle is recycled in some fashion.

Over the past ten years, more than 3,000 bikes have been donated to this cause. For more information on this charity bike collection, visit the organization's website.

Image via Shutterstock.