Doing Good: Bike City Recyclery
By: Laine Baker
Updated: November 7, 2011
Shohta Nakashima came to Bike City's Recyclery looking for two things: to improve his English by working around others, and to help those less fortunate by building bikes for them.
"I want to help because I like bicycles," he said.
Shohta and many other volunteers have learned to fix and rebuild donated bikes at Bike City. The non-profit fixes 'em up and then rolls 'em out for sale or for donation to the homeless, less fortunate - or to children living in local shelters.
"As the recession has gotten worse more people need bikes and can't afford their cars any longer," said mechanic, Joshua Thompson.
Volunteers will also help people who come in with bike questions and problems. Bikers can get their rides fixed at a fraction of the cost with recycled parts, and - another a goal of the Recyclery - to get more bikes hitting the road in Northwest Arkansas.
"We want a cleaner community, and safer community, and feel that bicycles will provide that," Thompson said.
The Bike City Recyclery has already donated 75 bikes this year, with requests on kids bikes up 35% from last year. That's keeping Shohta busy, and as his English improves he understands much more of the thanks that he gets.
"Whenever I fix a bicycle many people say 'thank you,' and I really appreciate the words," he said.
People receiving any kind of state aid qualify for help from Bike City. Anyone can come in with questions - to use the tool room - or to buy a recycled bike.
Click here for more information: http://www.bikecityrecyclery.org/
"I want to help because I like bicycles," he said.
Shohta and many other volunteers have learned to fix and rebuild donated bikes at Bike City. The non-profit fixes 'em up and then rolls 'em out for sale or for donation to the homeless, less fortunate - or to children living in local shelters.
"As the recession has gotten worse more people need bikes and can't afford their cars any longer," said mechanic, Joshua Thompson.
Volunteers will also help people who come in with bike questions and problems. Bikers can get their rides fixed at a fraction of the cost with recycled parts, and - another a goal of the Recyclery - to get more bikes hitting the road in Northwest Arkansas.
"We want a cleaner community, and safer community, and feel that bicycles will provide that," Thompson said.
The Bike City Recyclery has already donated 75 bikes this year, with requests on kids bikes up 35% from last year. That's keeping Shohta busy, and as his English improves he understands much more of the thanks that he gets.
"Whenever I fix a bicycle many people say 'thank you,' and I really appreciate the words," he said.
People receiving any kind of state aid qualify for help from Bike City. Anyone can come in with questions - to use the tool room - or to buy a recycled bike.
Click here for more information: http://www.bikecityrecyclery.org/
