Bikes Not Bombs Becomes Official Provider of “Bike Match” Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2020
Contact: Gary Chin
Bikes Not Bombs
(617) 522-0222 x104
BIKES NOT BOMBS BECOMES OFFICIAL PROVIDER OF “BIKE MATCH” PROGRAM
Matching Donated Bicycles with Essential Workers in need of Transport
Boston, MA: Bikes Not Bombs (BNB), a social justice organization specializing in the collection and repurposing of bicycles to create job opportunities and provide sustainable transportation, joins the #BikeMatch movement in order to connect first responders, medical professionals, and other essential workers with free bicycles during the coronavirus pandemic. The Bike Match program was piloted by Transportation Alternatives in New York City in order to respond to an uptick in the number of bike commuters during the crisis.
Having a physical bike shop at 284 Amory Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, BNB is uniquely positioned to respond to those who are most affected by the crisis. Executive Director, Elijah Evans said, “Access to transportation, equity, and environmental stewardship are at the core of Bikes Not Bombs’ mission. With ridership on the MBTA dramatically decreasing, people are looking for safe and affordable ways to get around the city. At this time, it is also important that we all step up to support essential workers like those in our hospitals and grocery stores.”
How it works: potential bike donors and requesters must go to the Boston area Bike Match website, located at https://bikematch.network/boston. After they fill the required forms, Bikes Not Bombs will use the information to “match” a bike to a specific recipient. The donor must ensure that the bicycle is in ready-to-ride condition, or as close to ready-to-ride condition as possible (donors can determine if their bicycle is in ready-to-ride condition by watching this video for examples of what to inspect). Bicycles will be sanitized before coming into and before leaving the shop.
“By implementing a new Bike Match program here in Boston, BNB aims to play a critical role in equipping essential workers with a bicycle, helping them to perform work and access critical resources in their community, such as healthcare, food, prescription drugs, house supplies, etc. during the COVID-19 crisis,” adds Evans.
For more information regarding the Bike Match program with Bikes Not Bombs, please contact Gary Chin, Director of Community Engagement at gary@bikesnotbombs or (617) 522-0222 x104 during shop hours.
You can also visit bikesnotbombs.org to learn more about the organization and its affiliated programs.