Abandoned bikes get new life in Springfield

The Springfield police department has donated “close to 80” bicycles to the Restorative Justice Center, which will use them to restart its Bicycle Recycle program. (Photo from Frank Nobile)

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Abandoned bikes get new life in Springfield By GLYNIS HART reporter@eagletimes.com Nov 21, 2018 Updated 7 hrs ago 0 Abandoned bicycles get new life Photo provided by Frank Nobile The Springfield Police Department has donated dozens of bicycles to the community Restorative Justice Center. COURTESY SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The Springfield police department has donated “close to 80” bicycles to the Restorative Justice Center, which will use them to restart its Bicycle Recycle program. Springfield Police Chief Doug Johnston said the department ends up with a lot of abandoned bicycles. “I can’t believe people don’t come down and claim them,” said Johnston. “A couple people have done that. We advertise all the bikes for 30 days.” The bicycles have accumulated in the police department’s basement “for a while,” said Johnston. “I can’t remember the last time we did this.” However, since the Restorative Justice Center decided to reopen its Bicycle Recycle program, the police now have a place to send the bikes. The RJC’s mission is to empower local organizations, individuals and schools to find and promote ways to reduce crime and resolve conflict peacefully. Its Bicycle Recycle shop provides a meaningful way for people to serve the community as well as providing wheels to people who could use a bicycle. The bikes will also go the Bellows Falls Community Bike Project, a volunteer-run nonprofit that teaches people how to fix bicycles, sells restored bicycles at low cost to residents, and encourages bicycling as a means of affordable transportation, self-sufficiency and good health.