Kid's Bike Upgrade Program

Saving the world, one bike at a time.

Our Kid's Bike Upgrade program is something of a phenomenon.  To be totally honest, we didn't invent the idea.  I got it from a shop in Connecticut and then refined it as we went along.  Our intention has always been to give kids a really fair shake at getting into cycling by starting them off with real bikes that work well and keep them tuned forever.  Then, we take them back and donate the bikes to charities so that kids of every income can ride bikes that work great.  At last count, we donate about 300 bikes a year, at an approximate value of $45,000 all to local schools and charities.  Are we crazy?  Maybe, but it feels like the right thing to do.

Here's how it works:  Every kids bike purchased here can be traded back in for half of its original value at the time of purchase. 

Here's a typical family example:

year     bike                value     paid       saved                  total saved

2002 12" pink             $180       $180     $0                             $0

2004  16" purple         $200      $110      $90 (1/2 of 12")        $90

2006  20" geared        $300      $200      $100 (1/2 of 16")      $190

2008  24" 21 speed     $400      $250     $150 (1/2 of 20")      $340

2010  26" Adult MTB    $450     $250     $200                         $540

In this example, our kid is now approximately 12 years old, is riding a quality 26" wheeled mountain bike that comes with free Lifetime Tune-ups and their family has helped to donate 4 bikes to local schools and charities.