Do you have a bicycle that is no longer being used and you would like to donate it? Are you considering bicycling and are looking for an affordable bicycle to get started? Or do you have a bicycle, but it is in need of some serious repairs before it is road-worthy? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, read on to find out more about the many bicycle donation and rehab locations in New Jersey. Below you will find bike donations programs sorted by location. Scroll to find the program nearest your community.
Note: This information is accurate as of August 2023. Hours are always subject to change, so we recommend calling in advance before making the trip.
Asbury Park
Second Life Bikes is a biking community center in Asbury Park that serves as a bicycle sales and repair shop where you can donate old bikes, or shop for repurposed ones. Founder Kerri Martin describes the business as a “participatory experience” rather than your conventional “customer service” vendor, acting as an open bike garage for people to come look for parts, shop for used bikes, or volunteer their time to repair bikes. The shop runs a program known as Youth Earn a Bike, where young people volunteer their time working at the shop and learning how to fix bicycles in exchange for a free bike of their own.
Where to Donate: Bring donations of bikes or parts in any size or condition during business hours to 21 Main Street Asbury Park, NJ. You can fill out a receipt which can be used to claim a tax deduction.
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 11am-5:30pm
Saturday 10am-4pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
More Information:
Visit their website at https://www.secondlifebikes.org/donate/
Call Second Life Bikes at 732-776-6878 or email the owner at kerri@secondlifebikes.org
Collingswood Bike Share
Collingswood’s Bike Share is a program designed to recycle bicycles no longer in use and provide an affordable option for borough residents to obtain bikes. The program operates like a library, in which residents borrow a bike and then return it to the Bike Share when they no longer need to use it.
Where to Donate:
Representatives can be found every Saturday morning during the Collingswood Farmers’ Market (starting in May until the Saturday before Thanksgiving), 8 am to 12 pm or Tuesday evenings, from 5 to 8 pm at the garage between the Community Center and the Department of Public Works garage. During the off-season (December through April), the program is available on an appointment basis.
More Information:
Visit their website here. Visit the Bike Share Facebook page here or email CollingswoodBikeShare@gmail.com
Gloucester Township Bike Library
Gloucester Township’s GTWheels Sustainable Bike Library allows residents to borrow donated bikes that have been refurbished. Residents may take the bike home with them, or simply go for a short ride and return it when they are done. Volunteers are currently requesting donations of adult sized bikes with minimal to medium-wear. Severely damaged bikes such as bent frames may not be accepted.
Where to Donate:
Bring donations to the address below during business hours. Kindly call ahead at the number listed below to let staff know what you’re dropping off the bicycle.
Location:
Camden County Lakeland Eco-Complex
Reagan Building
508 Lakeland Road, Gloucester Township, NJ 08012
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4PM
Saturday: 10AM – 12PM
More Information:
Call the bike library at (856) 374-5195
Hudson County
The Hudson Transportation Management Association (TMA) provides programs to encourage commuters to use a bicycle whenever they can. The TMA receives donated bicycles and rehabs them. In partnership with the Hudson TMA, Community Action Programs and social service agencies in Hudson County help to identify and register eligible individuals for the program. Recipients receive a bike, a helmet, and a brief instruction on cycling safety.
Where to Donate:
Anyone can donate an adult size bike in working order with brakes, no rust and no bent frames or wheels. Apartment and condo managers can call directly to arrange for a pick-up for a donation of several bicycles. Call the TMA at 201-324-6222 or email info@hudsontma.org. Monetary donations are also appreciated.
More Information:
Visit their website here: https://hudsontma.org/bike-rehab-program/
Mercer County
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County Bike Exchange (BEX) is a volunteer-led enterprise that repairs donated bicycles and sells them at modest prices at its Ewing location in the Capitol Plaza shopping center. The shop is open to the public and features a variety of sizes of bicycles and price points, there is something for everyone. All proceeds from the sales of bikes benefit the The Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County directly.
Where to Donate:
Take your used bicycle, in any condition, to the Boys & Girls Clubs Bike Exchange at Capitol Plaza Shopping Center
1500 N. Olden Avenue, Ewing, NJ
Hours:
Tuesday 5:00 pm – 7:45 pm
Thursdays 5:00 pm – 7:45 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am – 3:45 pm
More Information:
The Boys and Girls Club BEX program also allows donations at any of their participating bike shops, which can be found here:
Fast Signs
2901 Brunswick Pike
Lawrenceville, NJ
Pure Energy Cycles & Java
99 S. Main Street
Lambertville, NJ
Bicycle Rack
Route 33 and Airport Road
Hightstown, NJ 08520
Economy Bicycle
1637 Highway 33
Trenton, NJ
Sourland Cycles
53 East Broad St.
Hopewell, NJ 08525
Firehouse Cycles
37 South Delaware Avenue
Suite 3 – Use Bell Avenue at apprx 38 to find shop!
Yardley, Pa 19067
Halter’s Cycles
1325 US 206
Skillman, NJ 08558
Hart’s Cycles
4 Route 31
Pennington, NJ 08534
Jay’s Cycles
249 Nassau Street
Princeton, NJ 08542
New Hope Cyclery
404 York Rd
New Hope, PA 18938
New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Bike Exchange is a non-profit human services organization in partnership with the New Brunswick Recreation Department, serving Middlesex County.
Where to Donate:
The Exchange is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm at 411 Joyce Kilmer Avenue in New Brunswick. They’re housed in the Youth Center near the back of the building. The New Brunswick Bike Exchanges season is typically April to December, but always be sure to check their Facebook page to ensure they’re open. Currently, donations are made by appointment for bikes in good condition – please reach out to them via email at info@nbbikeexchange.org
More Information:
The Mobility Matters podcast has an episode related to the New Brunswick Bike exchange here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zBSxfoFosNsEE3Z9dQ7Ou?si=RTG7Y5mvTV-1c1zznsu91Q&nd=1.
Somerset County
RideWise – the Transportation Management Association (TMA) in Somerset County – hosts a program called BikeConnect that gives adults in need of reliable transportation refurbished bikes through their bike rehabilitation program. Donated bikes are repaired at Pops Bike Shop in Somerville and then donated to adults referred to RideWise by nonprofit organizations in Somerset County.
Where to Donate:
There are several ways to contribute to this program, which you can read about here: https://ridewise.org/bikeconnect/donations/
However, a quick summary of your options include:
- Donate your gently used bikes directly by contacting staff@ridewise.org or calling (908) 704-1011 ext. 11 to arrange a bicycle inspection and drop off.
- Purchase a bicycle from Pops Bike Shop to be donated to the program.
- Host a bicycle drive through your workplace, community, nonprofit, neighborhood or on social media. (More on how to do this below in the Pedals for Progress section)
More Information:
Address of Pops Bike Shop
34 E Main St, Somerville, NJ 08876
Pedals for Progress – Hosting Your Own Bike Drive
Pedals for Progress is a local non-profit organization that can help you run a bike collection event in your community. After the event, they’ll handle refurbishing and transporting the donated bikes to communities in developing nations across the globe.
If your faith community, civic association, youth group, school, or business would like to get involved in recycling, environmental stewardship, and economic progress in developing countries, find out how you can organize a bicycle collection by visiting their website here: https://www.p4p.org/what-we-do-2/bike-collections/