Earth Day Bike Drive Set To Help People In Need In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, NJ — RideWise is partnering with Pops Bike Shop and the Bridgewater Woman’s Club to host a free Earth Day bike drive on Wednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Pops Bike Shop in downtown Somerville.

The drive will collect gently used bicycles for people in need of transportation for work and everyday travel.

The event is open to the public, and donors can drop off bicycles during the three-hour drive.

The effort is intended to support individuals who need reliable transportation and may not have access to a vehicle or public transit.

Donna Allison, executive director of RideWise, said the event is tied to both transportation access and sustainability goals.

"Our Earth Day Bike Drive has two main goals: reducing waste by reusing and recycling bikes, while providing a transportation solution for individuals who don’t have vehicles or access to public transit," said Allison.

The Bridgewater Woman’s Club said the partnership is also focused on helping local residents get to work.

"The Bridgewater Woman’s Club is proud to partner with RideWise and Pops Bike Shop in restoring and donating bicycles to provide community members with reliable transportation to work. Through this initiative we are helping our neighbors secure essential, independent transport for their employment needs while promoting a positive environmental impact through repurposing gently used bicycles," Jane Etsch, President of the Bridgewater Woman’s Club.

The bike drive is being held in celebration of Earth Day and will center on reusing bicycles rather than sending them to waste.

People who plan to donate a bike are asked to complete a donation form online at ridewise.org/bikeconnect/donations.

RideWise describes itself as Somerset County’s transportation and sustainability information resource. More information about RideWise and its programs is available at ridewise.org.

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