May 2, 2024
West Windsor, NJ – On the unseasonably cold afternoon of April 13, Mercer County’s Park Commission and Planning Department hosted their fourth annual Bike Drive for the benefit of the Mercer County Bike Exchange (BEX) and Boys & Girls Club (BGC). Over 150 bikes were contributed by donors from all over the county and surrounding area.
BEX is a volunteer-run organization whose primary objective is to raise funds that support after-school programs at the Mercer County BGC. The non-profit repairs donated bicycles and sells them at modest prices from its Ewing location at Capitol Plaza on Olden Avenue, promoting biking for transportation and pleasure.
“The annual bike drive is a wonderful example of county government partnering with nonprofits to give back to our community.” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “I’m grateful to all of the volunteers who made this event a tremendous success, and to all of the generous residents who donated their bikes for a good cause.”
“Once again, the Mercer County Park Commission, in cooperation with the Mercer County Bike Exchange and the Mercer County Planning Department, have come together in support of this annual event,” said Acting Executive Director Joseph Pizza. “Thank you to all the volunteers and participants on another successful bike drive.”
According to Ira Saltiel, the BEX volunteer director, 50 volunteers support the organization by working in sales, repairing, picking up, and delivering bikes. Tech-savvy volunteers manage the BEX social media and Craigslist postings. Others harvest parts off bikes that are beyond repair.
Since 2009, the Bike Exchange has sold approximately 27,000 bikes, raising $1.6 million dollars for the BGC. During the past several years, they have also donated approximately 300 free bikes annually to youth in Trenton and other urban areas throughout New Jersey.