A Space for Community

Greetings Friends!

We welcome you to read through our 2024 spotlights: Mary and Regis. Plus, checkout our 20 Year Timeline below. We are graciously asking for donations to our annual fund. Help us reach our $20K goal this season in honor of 20 years bringing joy to Johnson County through the power of upcycling your donated bicycles!

You can Click Here if you want to make a one-time or monthly sustaining donation. Skip the fees and mail a check to 1222 S. Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA 52240. We also now accept stock gifts—shoot me an email [email protected]

Our story began at the John Wilson’s Sporting Goods Store building on College Street, generously rented to us by the City for $1 a year. Residents donated bikes, and a grassroots community resource took root. Environmental Advocates became our fiscal sponsor, and volunteers tuned-up used bike and built a one-of-a-kind Checkout System. That first year we checked out 12 bikes. Open Saturdays, people lined up eagerly to “checkout” a bike—proof of the Bike Library’s value. Fast forward twenty years, and we’re still empowering our community with bikes while evolving to meet new needs. In 2024 we checked out 108 bikes, sold 520, and helped over 100 teens, women, and Shelter House clients get free bikes through our Earn-a-Bike programs. Most recently this year, we have signed on to be the fiscal sponsor for Cycling Without Age. This group is bringing the joy of biking to those who can’t ride independently. This program, with e-assisted trishaw bikes, connects seniors and differently-abled residents to the freedom and connection of cycling. In honor of our 20-Year Anniversary, 20% of this year’s donations will support Cycling Without Age, reflecting how far we’ve come—from our beginnings at John Wilson’s to the welcoming hub we are today. Your gift funds free equitable programming and accessible mechanical education for at-risk community members.

Thank you for 20 years of riding, wrenching, and community building. Please consider making a one-time or monthly sustaining donation this season.

Peace & Grease, 

Audrey Wiedemeier, Director

[email protected]