Upcycle Bikes

06/17/2026

Combine a bike with the bus and you unlock greater transportation access!

A bike allows an individual to reach their nearest bus stop more quickly, and get around whenever they need to — even when busses aren’t running. And a bus takes an individual further, faster.

Thanks to The Rapid for joining us and Amplify GR at HUB 07 to show riders how to use a bus bike rack.

06/15/2026

📣 TICKETS NOW ON SALE! 📣

Join us at Pedals for Progress 2026 on Thursday, September 24 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Goei Center to celebrate the impact of no-cost bikes in the lives of riders, connect with community, and mobilize impact by investing in our shared work.

You’ll enjoy appetizers, drinks, and dessert while learning more about Upcycle Bikes’ work through activity stations, program, and meaningful opportunities to support the organization’s mission.

Get your discounted early bird tickets today at upcyclebikes.org/pedals.

06/11/2026

We’re excited to welcome Grand Rapids Bicycle Company Ada as a collection site partner!

As a small organization, we are not able to pick up bike donations and appreciate you bringing your old and used bikes to us! But when you can’t make it to the Upcycle Bikes shop, we have friends around Greater Grand Rapids who will collect your bike on our behalf. Thanks to GRBC Ada for becoming our seventh collection site around town.

Ada friends — you now have a convenient way to give your old bike a new life.

Learn more at upcyclebikes.org/dropoff.

06/10/2026

Growing community, support, and impact. This is the idea behind our Impact Ambassadors committee, which launched earlier this spring.

Impact Ambassadors are supporters of Upcycle Bikes who are excited to champion our mission by building awareness and relationships to advance our work. We meet quarterly for connection, updates, and planning.

We’re just getting started and we’d love for you to join us. Learn more at secure.qgiv.com/event/impactambassadors.

06/08/2026

Saugatuck: bring your old bikes to the Blue Star Barns bike drive this Saturday!

Swing by on June 13 from 9 am-12 pm to donate your old or used adult bike in any condition, and we’ll refurbish it to provide at no cost to a community member with financial constraints who needs access to transportation.

We’ll also be accepting bike parts and saddles in good condition.

Thanks to Blue Star Barns for their support!

06/04/2026

These visiting interns are all set to ride around town.

We were happy to meet Cameron, Emilie, and Rayana when they stopped into the shop asking to buy some of our for-sale bikes. The three at are part of the Morehead-Cain Foundation Scholars Program, in Grand Rapids for eight weeks to complete an internship at Corewell Health working on dementia research.

They need a way to get around while they’re here, so we set them up with some cruisers. When they complete their internship, they plan to donate the bikes back to Upcycle!

Interested in buying a quality, refurbished bike in support of our mission? Learn more at upcyclebikes.org/sale.

06/03/2026

Join us in saying a big “thank you!” to Ellie, our former administrative manager.

Ellie wrapped up her time at Upcycle Bikes last week to pursue a new opportunity, and we’re grateful for the impact she’s leaving behind. She brought care, creativity, and consistency to everything she took on, and helped to facilitate the work we do every day—from the way we communicate with partners, to the way we welcome volunteers, to the countless behind-the-scenes details that keep us running.

Thank you, Ellie!

06/01/2026

Give your old bike a new life! Calvary Church is hosting a bike drive for us this Saturday, June 6 from 9 am-12 pm.

Swing by to donate your old or used adult bike in any condition, and we’ll refurbish it to provide at no cost to a community member with financial constraints who needs access to transportation.

We’ll also be accepting bike parts and saddles in good condition.

Thanks to Calvary Church for their support!

06/01/2026

Do you know a bike mechanic who would be perfect for the Upcycle Bikes team? We’re hiring! See details and the link to apply below.

📣 We’re hiring! 📣

Are you a skilled bike mechanic who loves supporting others and cares about our mission? Join our team as the operational anchor of the Upcycle Bikes shop, where you’ll refurbish donated bikes to high quality while training and mentoring volunteers.

Ideal candidates for this role are technically proficient, patient teachers, and genuinely excited about making cycling accessible to all.

Learn more and apply at upcyclebikes.org/jobs.

05/28/2026

What do you do if you get out of work after the last bus runs? In Kevin’s case, you walk for over two hours to get home.

But not anymore. Kevin (right) picked up the road bike he requested through Mel Trotter Ministries for his commute. Volunteer Tim (left) added a rack to hold Kevin’s belongings while he rides.

Now he has reliable transportation no matter his work schedule. Happy riding, Kevin!