From the Somerset Reporter, NJ.com (8/28/09):

Pedals for Progress, in its continuing effort to recycle bicycles properly, is having a used bike collection sponsored by the Branchburg Rotary Club.

Anyone with an adult or child’s bicycle in repairable condition is urged to donate their bike. Bikes for parts or disassembled bikes are not accepted. Bikes can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19 — rain or shine — at the Branchburg Municipal Building, 1077 Route 202 North.

Pedals for Progress collects 8,000 to 9,000 bicycles annually and transfers this material wealth to those in need. To date, more than 120,000 have been shipped to developing countries in Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. In these countries the bikes are reconditioned by partner agencies and distributed at low cost to poor working adults.

These bikes provide them with reliable transportation for commuting to work, transporting produce to market, or accessing health care and other services. Steady employment for these adults is vital to the development and success for these economies.

It costs $35 to collect, process, ship, rebuild and distribute each bicycle. A donation toward shipping costs is necessary (suggested minimum $10 per bike). All cash and material donations are fully tax deductible and a receipt will be available at the collection site. The organizers will also accept working portable sewing machines.

Pedals for Progress is a 501c3 corporation and a registered charity in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. Brochures explaining this program will be available at the collection site. The organization also seeks donations of wrenches for our overseas shops. For detailed information about overseas projects and a current schedule of bicycle collection, visit p4p.org.

For more information about the local collection, call Dan Matyola at 908-725-3322 or Kip Bateman at 908-526-3600. In honor of Rosh Hashanah, arrangements can also be made to drop off bikes at Re/Max Hills and Valley, 1031 Route 202, Branchburg during the week prior to Sept. 19. Call Chip Hughes at 908-334-2329, or just drop off at the back door.