Mikes Bike Shop launches annual bicycle collection

Now through Thanksgiving, Mikes Bike Shop in Palatine will be collecting bikes for underprivileged children and adults. They will be refurbished and given to the Palatine Opportunity Center on Nov. 24.

Over the last eight years, the shop has given away more than 1,500 bicycles to underprivileged children and adults, many of which hadn't been ridden in years.

The shop, at 155 N. Northwest Hwy., Palatine, takes in unwanted bikes, cleans and tunes them up. It replaces tubes, tires, seats, grips, cables and training wheels as necessary. Last year, the shop's staff donated 189 hours to refurbishing bikes.

Beneficiaries have included the Lutheran Orphanage, PADS, local and intercity churches. Bicycles have been given to residents of the New Orleans metro area after Hurricane Katrina and missionaries in Africa, Haiti and Mongolia.

The bike shop's goal is to keep bicycles out of landfills, and give less fortunate children the happiness and independence that cycling can offer.

Call Mikes Bike Shop at (847) 358-0948.