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Date: 4/27/2023
LONGMEADOW — Once again, the Longmeadow Environmental Transition Group has partnered with Family Bike of East Longmeadow to host the Longmeadow Bike Sale on Saturday, May 6.
The bike sale relies on participation from the community. People can bring gently used bikes to the Community House between 5 and 8 p.m. on Friday, May 5.
The person receives either credit at Family Bike for the value of their donation or 85% of the value in cash when the item is sold. William Harbison of the Longmeadow Environmental Transition Group said, “Practically speaking, most people want the credit at Family Bike,” Harbison said.
Bicycles are not the only items accepted. Accessories, such as cargo boxes, child caries and car racks can also be donated. The organizers ask that the items be in good condition and that tires are inflated.
“If the person can’t put a price on it, Family Bike will,” said William Harbison of the Longmeadow Environmental Transition Group. He added that the people who work for the business are “very knowledgeable.”
About 15% of the sales are collected by the Environmental Transition Group and donated to environmental causes. “We are not a 501c3 [nonprofit], but what money we do take in we donate to environmental organizations, and also, on occasion, we have used the money to pay for speakers who talk on various environmental subjects.” In the past, the group has put money towards helping the Pipeline Awareness Group.
While most of the people who donate bikes and attend the sale are Longmeadow residents, there are also people from nearby towns such as Enfield and Ludlow who would take part in the event. The bike sale has been taking place for about 10 years. Harbison said the group has partnered with Family Bike from the beginning. Of the bike sale, Harbison said, “Frankly, [the community] expects it.”
The sale starts at 8 a.m. and Harbison said a “massive” number of people come rushing into the Community House, where the bikes are set up by size. Children run toward whichever bike catches their eye, he said.
“We usually are able to sell close to 100 bikes. As always, the bikes not sold or not reclaimed, have been traditionally donated to the Kensington [International] School in Springfield,” Harbison said. “Those kids have been very appreciative.”
Harbison said that there are usually a few adult bikes left at the end of the sale that are not appropriate to donate to the Kensington School. Those are donated to a program that provides bicycles to refugees.
“The major thing that we as promoters get out of this is seeing the enthusiasm from the kids,” Harbison said. “That’s what keeps us coming back. They get they get so pumped.”
The Community House is at 735 Longmeadow St. Cash and checks are accepted forms of payment for item sold.