BicycleWORKS teams up with prison inmates to refurbish bikes

The Southern.com is covering an interesting story involving BicycleWORKS of St. Louis:

St. Louis BicycleWORKS has teamed up with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for a unique program that refurbishes old bikes and donates them to organizations for children who might not otherwise have a bike.

Patrick Van Der Tuin, director of operations for St. Louis BicycleWORKS, said the nonprofit organization started in 1988 as an opportunity for youth in St. Louis to be productive.

Van Der Tuin said the primary objective of BicycleWORKS is to increase the probability of positive life outcomes for "at-risk" youths in the St. Louis area. He said that is accomplished by providing children the incentive and opportunity to develop their academic, vocational and social skills through their Earn-A-Bike Program.

Van Der Tuin said before partnering with the Bureau of Prisons, the organization would refurbish about 300 bikes a year; but from July to January, 490 bicycles have been refurbished at the Marion prison for several nonprofits.

Find out more about BicycleWORKS here--together with Trailnet they are co-sponsoring this weekend's Midwest Bicycle Expo & Swap meet in St Louis.