During the last five years, the Elyria Bike Center has received about 2,000 donated bikes from community members — cycles that are refurbished or retooled and then resold at affordable prices. “We do our best to give the bikes another life,” says Ed Stewart, founder and director. “You could get a $300 bike for 50 bucks that is just as good as new.”
The outreach effort makes biking even more accessible, and the center has an educational component. As home of the Elyria Bicycle Education Center, the nonprofit co-op teaches mechanical and safety skills. Trained volunteers perform repairs that cost no more than $15/hour for labor. The bike center offers a full menu of fix-it services.
Stewart encourages people to explore the county on bike. “We’ve got great country roads with relatively little traffic, so you can ride along just about anywhere you want to go and feel safe while you’re doing it.”
