The Lake Region Solid Waste Authority sponsors an Adopt-A-Bike program, which helps to divert broken and discarded bikes from ending up in landfills by refurbishing them and arranging for them to be adopted back into participating communities.
How it Works
Broken and unwanted bicycles are collected at designated drop-off locations in each of the six lake Region counties; typically at the transfer stations, landfills or recycling centers. Miami County is the exception as their transfer station is operated by an external contractor, so the current drop-off location is at the Fire Lake Soapery in Paola.
The donated bicycles are transported from the individual counties and consolidated in Franklin County before being sent to Ellsworth or Lansing Correctional Facilities, where inmates work to strip the salvageable parts and reassembled them into sturdy, functional bikes. Once refurbished, the bikes are transported back to Franklin County and stored in a designated cargo container at the Noxious Weed Department (2017 S Elm Street, Ottawa KS) while waiting to be adopted.
Applications
The Adopt-A-Bike program has an information brochure designed to explain and promote the program. Included within the brochure are program details, the application form and instructions for submission, plus the positive environmental, physical, and monetary benefit of cycling.
County ECKAN offices and various partner organization who are able to publicly promote the Adopt-A-Bike program display program signs in their window or on their wall in their offices to indicate their role as designated locations to access adoption applications. Click here to see a list of application locations by county.
Sustainability
The Adopt-A-Bike program promotes environmental sustainability by eliminating bicycles and associated scrap metal from ending up in the landfills. It is also a community centered program, as the repurposed bikes are available to be adopted out into the communities and increase participation in positive recreational activities. Behind the scenes, the Adopt-A-Bike program continues to contributing to jobs for the inmates at Ellsworth and Lansing Correctional Facilities, who are working to refurbish the bikes.
Contact the Lake Region RC&D office or the LRSWA Regional Coordinator with any questions.
Don Stottlemire and Mark Peters delivering bikes adopted out by residents of My Father's House in Paola
Lake Region Adopt-A-Bike Program
P.O. Box 220
Ottawa, KS 66067
785-242-2073
lakeregion@lakeregionrcd.org
A copy of the adoption application is available through the link below.
20th Anniversary in 2019
The program was originally organized by the Lake Region Resource Conservation and Development Council in 1999 by Don Stottlemire, Lake Region RC&D President and Franklin County Commissioner. Since that time, through partnering with the Lake Region Solid Waste Authority and Ellsworth Correctional Facility, the Adopt-A-Bike program has donated thousands of bikes to children and adults throughout the six Lake Region counties; Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, Linn, Miami, and Osage counties.
Helmets donated by
Modern Woodmen of American