Recycle-A-Bicycle, an initiative of TART Trails, provides bicycles as a means of transportation to the area’s economically disadvantaged population. Donated bikes from the community are refurbished and provided to those who need them through a referral program. Each bike given away comes with a lock and a light set to keep the bike secure and the rider visible. In addition, RAB also sells refurbished bikes to help fund the program and provide affordable bikes to the community.
2025 was a year of growth and transition for Recycle-A-Bicycle This year, we gave away 340 bikes and provided clients with 152 repairs. We also hired our first paid part-time mechanic/customer interface person (Brian Barsheff). Brian comes with extensive bike shop experience, and with his addition, we were able to expand our workshop hours to 5 days a week This, in turn, enabled us to expand the number of workshop volunteers that we can accommodate each week. With everyone’s help, we already have a large variety of bikes that are fixed and ready for the spring rush
Brian Barsheff in front of the RAB Workshop
These incredible results were made possible by the partnership we have with our volunteers, the community, and our financial supporters Our volunteers logged over 3,370 hours in 2025. Our volunteers refurbish bikes, assist customers and clients, and maintain the workshop operations
The Grand Traverse region continues to be very generous with donations of bikes and parts. Even the bikes that are too costly to refurbish typically have parts harvested to repair other bikes. End-of-life metal and 440 scrap tires were properly recycled, keeping them out of landfills this year
Thank you to the following organizations for their support Grants from these organizations allow Recycle-A-Bicycle to continue working in our community.
Cherry Capital Cycling Club
Cherryland Electric Cooperative Cherryland Cares
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation Campbell Endowment
Zonta Club of Traverse City
R-A-B also received 100 light sets from the League of Michigan Bicyclists and the Bike Lights for Michigan Nights program. These lights reduced the number that we had to purchase to equip our 340 clients for improved visibility.
To identify the clients for our bikes, we partnered with over 25 local organizations, agencies, and case workers. We are grateful to these partners for their consistent collaboration!
Bike Swap 2025:
Recycle-A-Bicycle and TART Trails Staff hosted the 14th Annual Bike Swap in May of 2025 with the help of 48 volunteers who logged 195 hours This year, 226 bikes and accessories were sold at the event, which helped to offset the cost of the Recycle-A-Bicycle program. Thanks to all who helped to make this possible.
2026 Bike Swap Format Change:
Since 2011, TART Trails and Recycle-ABicycle have hosted a community Bike Swap. The Swap has been a successful and fulfilling experience, with thousands of bikes finding new homes Looking to the future, we carefully reviewed the financial impact, as well as the time and energy required from the Recycle-ABicycle volunteers and TART Trails staff to host the Swap. After this review and speaking with a collection of volunteers, we decided not to host a 2026 Bicycle Swap It wasn't an easy decision, but one guided by thoughtful reflection on how to best support volunteers, staff, and the community we care so deeply about
RAB's bicycle sales are a key part of funding our voucher program. These sales allow us to provide free bikes and repairs for the area’s economically disadvantaged. To promote bike sales and make it easier to schedule a visit to RAB, we will be adding several Saturday sale events in the spring and summer at our workshop on Woodmere Avenue. We will also be accepting bicycle donations during the Saturday events, but we will not be able to sell bikes on commission at these events.
Thank you for your understanding. Please watch for future announcements of the dates of the Saturday sales.
