Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' in Goshen, Indiana

Bicycle-powered projects for justice and environmental stewardship. Help us provide critically needed support to these Special Projects!

The Community Bicycle Project Need a project for Bible School or other special emphasis? Click here for two options.

The Focus:

The Community Bicycle Project has three primary areas of focus.

.  To promote sustainable transportation
.  To make bicycles available to low-income and homeless people
.  To foster a cooperatively run project that builds community, mutuality, and inspiration.

The Programs:

CBP meets these goals by providing:

.  donated and used bicycles for low-income and homeless people
.  bicycle repair and basic repair training for low-income and homeless people
.  Work-a-Bike Program for kids and adults
.  cooperative bike tools and shop use
.  bicycle trailer-lending program
.  Goshen Community Re-Cycles pick-up and delivery
.  promotion of bicycle access in the Goshen area and beyond
.  sustainable transportation education

Future goals include:

.  Courier service
.  Production of bike bucket carriers
.  Bike repair workshops
.  Community events

Background:

According to recent studies done by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the US Environmental Protection Agency, reducing the use of cars and light trucks is the number one most important action individuals can take to care for the Earth. Our use of these vehicles severely impacts the environment resulting in increased global warming, air pollution, urban sprawl, and water pollution. The Union of Concerned Scientists and the EPA recommend a broader spectrum of transportation options that facilitates sustainability, renewable energy, and conservation. The promotion of bicycles is an important component within the sustainable transportation options.

The population of homeless in the Goshen region has increased significantly over the past five years. Studies for Elkhart County found that in 1995 there was on average 300 homeless people per year. Seven years later the study found that the County had nearly 2000 homeless in 2002. Many of these people have little access to cars or a license. Bicycling is a vital form of transportation for work and medical needs of the homeless and low-income, yet the resources for a new bicycle are prohibitive and repair is costly.

Goshen Community Re-Cycles Begun in October 2003, Goshen Community Re-Cycles is committed to serving social and environmental needs. GC Re-Cycles is a not-for-profit locally-initiated project to promote sustainable transportation, wise use of natural resources, and help people in need. This is accomplished through bicycle-powered curbside recycling pick-up run jointly with people who are homeless or in transition.

From the workers: "To work and bicycle with Goshen Community Re-Cycles is the thing I look forward to most in my week" Ted West "This is the first time I feel I am doing something meaningful for the city." Adam Nix

GC Re-Cycles currently serves over 50 Goshen residents, with more households signing on weekly. Up to six transition/homeless people work with the program on a regular basis, earning $15 per hour for carrying out bicycle powered pick-ups.

GC Re-Cycles uses refurbished bicycles to pull trailers that carry the recycling containers. The trailers are made locally in Goshen and assembled by the homeless/in transition folks that work with GC Re-Cycles. Each trailer is ten feet long, costs $190, and is made of tube aluminum. Each is designed to carry 18-gallon recycling containers, with a total carrying capacity of 300 lbs.

The New Community Project supports Goshen Community Re-Cycles by publicizing their work and by providing funding for needed equipment.