The Recyclery Review – Recycling Your Cycles

Recently, The Recyclery came to my attention.  It happened this way. Several weeks ago, I was sitting in my apartment watching people go by on their bicycles, enjoying the unseasonably and unpredictable warm weather we had Chicago.  I became envious of those people and wanted to join their outdoor glee.  But I had one big problem, I didn’t own a bike.  I haven’t owned one in years, fearing that in my fleeting youth I would fall off and not get up, completely destroying any hope of the immortality I was gripping on to for dear life.  After much contemplation and several gazes at my ever expanding (in a horizontal kind of way) mid-section, I said, “To hell with that…  Get off your butt and enjoy the warmth!”  Shake off those icicles winter has pierced into my frigid soul.  But I had a problem, where to get one of those bicycles?  Oh yeah, those bicycles are expensive.   So, I decided to ask around.  “Hey, do you have a bicycle you want to get rid of?  Do you want to sell it?”  I even tried social media, “Dear Facebook friends, do you have a bicycle you want to get rid of, or sell?”  When I read that my own brother said that I can take my nine year old nephews old bicycle, I knew nobody wanted to part with theirs, nor take me seriously.  So I searched around stores in the northern Chicago area.  $900 for this, and 1200 for that?  No way was I ready to part with that much cash, not to mention that I didn’t even have it.  When I nearly bought a bicycle from Costco, thinking, this is a great deal, my higher functions took over and vetoed that decision.

In a bit of a depression, still envious of every rider that whizzed by, I happened to share my frustration to my friend Jake.  He is an avid bicycle enthusiast and suggested I talk to Steve, another avid bicycle enthusiast.  Jake explained that Steve volunteers at a place called The Recyclery.  Though I have known Steve for many years, I never heard him mention this place.  When I called Steve and learned a bit more about The Recyclery.  he invited me to come there on a Tuesday when he volunteers, so I could look at bicycles that would suit me.  Eventually, Steve paired me with a bicycle that fit my height, fixed it up, making it road worthy for Chicago streets and pitfalls and the price was only $70.  Thrilled that it was in my price range, I rode off so impressed with The Recyclery and what they do for the public, I wanted to share this with Chicago Splash Magazine readers.

The name says much of what they do, recycle old bicycles and make them available to the public for either sale, or donation.  The Recyclery is a non-profit organization committed to, “Building community through the restoration of donated and discarded bicycles,” a brief and effective mission statement that empowers those in need.  The Recyclery features many programs for those wanting to lean how to restore and build bicycles.  

Open Shop:  The Recyclery provides tools for people in need of fixing their own bicycles, for a small donation.  Or if you want to learn how to fix one, you can become a volunteer.  The Recyclery stresses, “We strive to provide an open, respectful, and collaborative atmosphere free of mechanical elitism.”  Even if this is your first time working on a bicycle, volunteers are willing and able to help in any way.

Build-A-Bike:  The Recyclery will teach you how to build a bicycle from scratch, striping a bicycle down, and building it back up to perfect working order. This 8-week course is $150, but The Recyclery offers a sliding scale if necessary.

Earn-A-Bike:  This summer program teaches youth enrolled in their partner schools and programs basic bicycle maintenance, bicycle safety, hands-on mechanical work, bike rides and more.  Throughout this program, a youth will work with one of The Recyclery bicycles, earning the bicycle they worked on as their own at the end of the program.

Freecyclery:  The Recyclery connects with many social service agencies throughout Chicago.  The volunteers work on bicycles, helmets and locks that will be donated to low-income families, the homeless, and adults suffering from mental illness.  This helps provide transportation, independence, and more importantly, a sense of empowerment.  

Women & Trans Night:  This is an open shop time for women and transgendered people, offering a comfortable and welcoming space to work on their bicycles or ones to be donated.  They also offer group rides around north-Chicago, and mini-classes on specific bike parts.

Used Bicycle Sales: 10am-12pm on Saturdays, The Recyclery has public sales.  Adult bicycles usually range from $35-$130.  Kids Bikes are always $5-$10.  As I mentioned earlier, this is where I obtained my new ride.  Check out their web site at the bottom for updated details regarding sales.  

Volunteer: The majority of the work at The Recyclery is performed by volunteers; including those putting the chains on, greasing the wheels, filling the tires, selling, teaching the various programs, public education and group rides.  You don’t have t o be a bicycle gear head to become a volunteer.  Ranging from no knowledge to knowledge pro, volunteers are the backbone and nerve center of this invaluable organization.  Check out the number below to inquire about volunteering.

Along with all of the programs The Recyclery offers, all of the money that is taken in from sales or trainings goes right back into the organization.  It helps to buy tools, parts and products for sale and trainings.  They also accept public donations.  Think about that old bike in your garage collecting spider webs and rust.  If you don’t sell it in a garage sale, it eventually will end up in a land-fill.  Take it over to The Recyclery and let them put it to good use.  Although I know my new bicycle will have its end, I’m confident it will rise up from the rust to live again.


The Recyclery Collective
7628 N. Paulina
Chicago, IL 60626
 (one block north of the Howard CTA stop)

P: 773-262-5900
F: 773-751-5241

E: info@therecyclery.org
www.therecyclery.org
   
Photos: Joel P. Shrago