Thursday, January 13, 2011

Revitalizing your donated bikes with QBP

Roll it Forward is thrilled to announce a partnership with Quality Bicycle Products, "the shop behind America's bicycle shops."  Your local bike shop most likely has a relationship with QBP--as a source of spare parts, bike accessories, or clothing.

QBP has created a fund through one of their top local shops so that Roll it Forward can order the items needed to make used bikes rideable again--such as spare parts, tubes, tires, or handlebar grips.  These small items add up quickly, so their donation will allow our grant funds to go even further to fixing up more bikes.  QBP's donation is characteristic of a company that consistently leads the way for the bicycle industry in advocacy and community responsiveness.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Featured: First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign, January 2011

January 2011: A substantial profile of Boston's Community Cycling Programs, including Roll it Forward, was recently featured on First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" blog.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

New Partner on the North Shore! Salem Cycle


Roll it Forward is proud to welcome our newest shop partner, Salem Cycle!    If you live north of Boston and have a bike to donate, take your bike to their shop and take advantage of a great discount currently offered through December only.  Call the shop at (978) 741-2222 for details.

And even if you don't live nearby, we can all appreciate this shop's commitment to their community.  Salem Cycle has long been a supporter of the North Shore cycling community. They are the promoter of the Salem Witches Cup bicycle race, which has raises money annually for Salem Parks and Recreation.  Each year they also sponsor the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival and contribute to countless charity auctions. In 2009 Salem Cycle decided to donate all their kids trade-in bikes to local charities on the North Shore including The Salem Boys and Girls Club, the Plummer Home for Boys, and the YMCA. Salem Cycle supports many local charity rides as well.  They're now supporting Roll it Forward as well.

Salem Cycle was North Shore Magazine's 2009 and 2010 Readers Choice Award for Best Bike Shop on the North Shore and Dan Shuman, Owner, was named the 2009 Salem Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the Year. Dan is also the Chairman of the Salem Bike Path Committee, which has put in over 30 bike racks in Downtown Salem, with plans for more in the spring, as well as the opening of a new bike route that will connect most of the Salem Parks, Beaches, and Schools.  Check out their site!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Stirring photos from latest bike giveaways

These photos come from an album posted by our friends at the Boston Housing Authority.  Their photographer, Rachel Boillot, did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the program.  See the whole gallery here.

Friday, November 12, 2010

IBC Preps over 200 bikes!

 Thom Parsons at IBC has been such a dedicated part of the Roll it Forward effort. And now we know from this blog post that it isn't just sweat he's put into it.  He completes the trifecta with blood and tears.  Thom, don't you know to always wear your helmet, especially in your storage warehouse?  Check out the link to discover what Thom goes through to prep over 200 bikes (and counting) for our distributions.
Thom also composed a great report about our bike distribution in Dorchester for residents of Franklin Field, hosted at Sportsmen's Tennis Club. 

Who would win in your Super Bowl of bikes?  And can you believe we somehow prevented 50 kids from skidding their bikes?

Boston Metro Press, Fall 2010

Press highlights from larger publications:

Localized feature articles from the Boston Globe via boston.com:  Belmont, Hingham


 David's Bicycle Blog from About.com bicycle columnist.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Local Press, Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Grassroots coverage:
Local coverage from across the Boston metro area,  November 2010:
Article from the Epoch Times