Old bikes, new miles: Park City donation drive sends gear to Ghana, Sierra Leone

The Village Bicycle Project’s sixth annual Park City Spring Bike Drop will collect used bicycles, parts and cycling gear Saturday, May 2, in Kimball Junction to support transportation access in Ghana and Sierra Leone. Photo: Village Bike Project

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City residents with old bikes, parts, or cycling gear sitting in garages will have a chance this weekend to give them a second life.

The Village Bicycle Project will hold its sixth annual Park City Spring Bike Drop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in the Staples/Walmart parking lot in Kimball Junction. The nonprofit is collecting bikes in roughly usable condition, including children’s and adult models, with mountain bikes especially needed. Used parts, tires, tubes, and cycling clothing in decent condition will also be accepted.

As of the fourth quarter of 2025, the Village Bicycle Project reported having sent 159,000 bicycles to Ghana and Sierra Leone and having taught 4,500 women and girls to ride

The drive supports the Village Bicycle Project’s work in Ghana and Sierra Leone, where bicycles provide affordable transportation for people who might otherwise walk long distances to school, work, markets, or health care. Rather than simply shipping bikes overseas, the organization pairs subsidized bicycles with hands-on maintenance training, trains village bike mechanics, and supplies specialized tools and spare parts so the bikes remain useful long after distribution. The group also specifically recruits women and girls into its programs, citing gender gaps that can limit access to bicycles.

Donors are asked to include a $25 contribution to help offset shipping costs. Bikes and donations are tax-deductible, and receipts will be available. Questions may be directed to Jamie May at 801-633-1676.