Seattle’s 2010 Bike Swap – New Meaning to Re-Cycle

Poster advertising Bike Works Bike Swap

In honor of Bicycle month I was in the market for a new upsized bike for my son and daughter. The neighbors with the just-older-kids have since moved and alas my son refused to ride his sisters perfectly good, nearly new pink and purple bicycle confection.  Knowing how quickly my daughter stayed in the pre-teen bike size, I was not excited at buying new.  My husbands suggestion to find a bike at a garage sale…(like I have nothing else to do) left me ready to throw in the towel until I discovered the 2010 Kids Bike Swap.  In their 14th year conducting bike swaps, Bike Works, sponsored the event on a sunny warm Saturday morning in Genessee Park in South Seattle.

Folks (like me) came early to line up and have last years too-small bikes appraised for trade. In line  you can also check out some of the bikes that have been repaired and are ready for trade or other bikes in line.  I had lots of interest in the pink and  purple confection I was pushing, as well as my son’s flame covered moto monstrosity.

If you go it is a good idea to have the kids come so they can test out the sizes and also get a free new helmet provided courtesy of Seattle Children’s hospital. Children’s staff were on hand to size helmets for kids.  Other bike swaps are sponsored by Cascade Bicycle Club annually.

The Bike Works staff along with their volunteers work with the precision of a surgeon to quickly recondition bikes and get them in safe working order.  As shown in this video, volunteer Ben works like a Daytona pitt crew to get the bikes ready for their new owners.  And for a fraction of what I could have spent, my kids are ready for Spring bike riding.