GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW) – The Green Bay Bicycle Collective (GBBC) is working to make sure people who want to cycle, can without a large price tag. They take bicycles that may have seen better days, refurbish them, and then sell them at a reduced price. 

The GBBC started in 2011 with a ragtag group of cyclists who would get together to have a good time. However, they soon realized that, together, they could help make the community a better place.  

“Slowly but surely it kind of melded into this thing called the Green Bay Bicycle Collective,” said founding member Mark Woosencraft. “We became a not-for-profit 501c3. We started raising money for other organizations. And we were like, ‘We can probably change and make this into a thing where we provide for the community at large.”

Volunteers provide all of the labor for the GBBC, and all the bikes sold or used for parts are donated to the organization.

“Everything we get in, brought in from the community, we wrench on it. Make sure it’s good to go. If it’s not that great, break it down, get parts from it,” said Woosencraft. “And then we sell it to help keep the lights on. Or we try to put it into other programs and help at other 501c3s.”

Mike Johnson, a volunteer for GBBC, said they help people who can’t afford to spend $500 to $1,000 on a functional and safe bicycle for all sizes, ages and ranges. He says that is a big part of their mission.

“That’s our mission, really, getting quality bikes back into the community for a reasonable price,” Johnson said. “A lot of the stuff we get in, we’ve been very fortunate that we’ve been able to increase the quality of what we’re putting out. They might be a little older, but they’re higher quality, nicer stuff that we can get out and have a renewed life for these bikes. Instead of ending up recycled or in a landfill.  

Johnson said much of the pricing on the bicycles at the GBBC is suggestive.

“If somebody walks through the door in need of a mode of transportation, we’re going to do our best to not turn them away because they can’t necessarily afford it,” said Johnson. “Again, that’s part of our mission. Long story short, it’s been kind of our unofficial motto for years is ‘More Butts On Bikes.’”  

In addition to getting “more butts on bikes,” the GBBC also works to educate people on how to care for their bikes. Volunteers teach bicycle maintenance. They do Bike Rodeos to teach children safe bicycle practices in a fun way. 

The Green Bay Bicycle Collective is open Mondays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The GBBC is in Green Bay at 1106C State Street just off Broadway in Green Bay.