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Thanks to our supporters at Specialized, this holiday season will be particularly merry for more than two dozen community bike shops and Alliance members.

Community bike shops and earn-a-bike programs are on the rise across the country, taking in recycled rides that would otherwise be landfill fodder and wrenching them back into shape for residents who need them most. In many cases, youth and low-income adults get their bike for free if they learn the skills to refurbish and maintain their bicycle. With increased interest in affordable, healthy transportation, these shops are growing quickly — and need supplies to keep pace with demand.

Enter Specialized. In mid-November, they let us know that, in remodeling some of their concept stores, they were looking for a new home for a variety of shop equipment. Understanding the importance of advocacy, they wanted to put the high-end racks, benches and more in the hands of Alliance members. They even offered to ship the items for free.

We immediately put out the word to our members with community bike shops — and got a quick and positive response. Now, organizations like the Fort Collins Bike Co-op, Bici Libre Community Bike Space in Los Angeles and the Revolve Community Bike Shop in Kansas City will ring in the New Year with new equipment to advance their efforts.

“This donation by Specialized will no doubt prepare us for the promise we believe 2012 holds for the Revolve Community Bike Shop,” Elizabeth Bejan, executive director of Revolve, told us. “If the four full months we were in operation in 2011 is any indication, we will need to have handy as much of our Earn-a-Bike inventory and supplies as this former auto repair turned bike repair shop can hold.  As is their custom, Kansas Citians responded generously to news media about us with donations of bikes and accessories and with their time as volunteers. The Specialized shop equipment will allow us to showcase the donations and re-gift them to those who need them. Not only that, but our deserving volunteers get to work and learn in a fun and safe environment.”

Thank you, Specialized!