With over 120 bikes donated in May and June this year, we are no longer able to accept bicycle donations. A huge thanks to everyone who has donated this year!
Discovery Routes is proud of its work supporting equitable access to trails in our community. We do not receive any government funding to support the ongoing delivery of the ReCycle Bikes Program. We rely on generous contributions from businesses, organizations, individuals and volunteers who share our values. Cash Donations and Sponsorship are critical to keep the program rolling. Help us keep the program thriving!
Donate to ReCycle Bikes Sponsor
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Bells & Whistles Sponsor
In-Kind Sponsor
Used Bike Donations
Bicycle donations are accepted in May and June each year.
To help our volunteers maximize the number of bikes we get back to the community, we are only able to accept bikes that are in fair to excellent condition. Not all bikes can be made safe for the road and trails. To help determine whether your bike is suitable for donation, please consider the following criteria:
- Bicycles stored indoors are preferable
- Has a majority of its parts
- Has minimal rust
Qualifying bike donations receive a charitable receipt for $25. Tax receipts are issued via email when the program wraps up in the early fall. Select bicycles may be sold to cover program expenses.
Bicycle most in need are mountain and hybrid bikes suitable for teenagers and young adults.
If you have any questions about the program or the donation process contact cycle@discoveryroutes.ca
Need a Bike?
Bicycles are distributed through our partners at many local community service organizations based on need and availability of suitable bicycles. Contact cycle@discoveryroutes.ca in the early spring to be placed on a waiting list for available bikes in 2024.
Volunteer With Us
Consider volunteering at ReCycle Bikes and making a difference in the community by giving others the opportunity to own a bike. We are a welcoming community of enthusiastic like-minded volunteers offering the chance to build life skills and give back. Generally, the commitment is 2-3 hours per session from May to September. We generally have 2-weekday sessions per week. Administrative support is needed throughout the year but is minimal through the winter.
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Lead Mechanics: We need individuals with bicycle mechanics skills and are interested in sharing knowledge with others. Lead mechanics mentor young volunteers in bike repair and tune-ups, and advise on some of the more challenging repairs.
General Bike Volunteers: We need individuals to do various tasks involved in refurbishing bikes. No prior bicycle repair skills are required, just a keen desire to learn. Other tasks include cleaning bikes, pumping tires, installing bike bells and reflectors. Many of our young volunteers enjoy tearing down and salvaging parts from bikes that are beyond repair.
Administrative Support Volunteer: We need individuals who are willing to do basic administration work such as receiving and tracking bicycle donations, liaising with community organizations for bicycle distribution, social media and communications support and volunteer coordination.
Student Volunteers: Students can earn volunteer hours while learning a new skill. Students will be paired with a lead mechanic who will mentor them through bike repairs.
Interested? Please fill out our volunteer form.
About ReCycle Bikes
ReCycle Bikes is a volunteer-run used bike donations program in North Bay and the area, coordinated by Discovery Routes. The program accepts bicycle donations and community volunteers repair, tune-up and get the bicycles ready to ride. Discovery Routes works with several social services organizations in the community to help give refurbished bikes to kids and individuals in need in our community. Since 2015, Discovery Routes and community volunteers have received, tuned up and redistributed 1102 bicycles!
Social and Environmental Benefits
The original aim of the ReCycle Bikes Program was to provide opportunities for more people to get out and enjoy the incredible network of trails in and around North Bay. But the benefits far exceed the original intent of the program. Here are just a few of the impacts of our used bike donations program:
- Provides access to individuals that may have limited transportation options to get to school or work
- Gets unused bikes out of the garage and back on the trail
- Fosters a healthy and active community and builds a local culture of cycling
- More bikes on the trails and streets build demand for safe cycling infrastructure
- Provides opportunities for volunteers to learn bicycle repair skills
- Provides opportunities for youth to participate in local bicycle programs
- Bikes that can’t be made roadworthy are salvaged for scrap to divert waste from landfill
Our Impact Since 2015
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| 119 Bikes Donated (2024) | 429 Volunteer Hours (2024) | 263kg Waste Diverted (2024) |
| 1102 Bikes Donated (Since 2015) | 2138 Volunteer Hours (Since 2015) | 3210 kg of Waste Diverted (Since 2015) |
| 810 Bikes Distributed (Since 2015) |
Some of the Agencies We’ve Been Able to Support
Hands the Family Network “Thank you for all you do to make a difference in the community!”
North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre “Thank you Recycle Bikes and Discovery Routes!! From myself and my clients.”
Outloud North Bay – “Thank You!! ❤️”
Supporting Partners
In 2020, Discovery Routes received a gift from Park Tools, a bike tool and equipment manufacturer that supplied the organization with professional bike-specific tools. Volunteer mechanics use the donated tools to tune up and repair donated bicycles.
