The Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark Bike Exchange has opened its doors for its second season of operation at a new, bigger location.

Now located at 239 Washington Street (a half-block north of Market Street) in Newark, the Bike Exchange is open on Thursdays from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Exchange volunteers accept donated bikes, safety test and repair them to good quality, and then sell them at unbeatable prices. Children's bikes cost from $10 to $25 and adult bikes sell for $100 to $150.

100% of the proceeds raised directly benefit the youth members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark.

The business model was inspired by a similar initiative in Trenton where Russ White, a retired book publisher and bike shop owner started the Trenton Bike Exchange. That shop has raised $250,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton and has sold and refurbished 5,000 bikes since it opened in 2009.

The Exchange is looking to add at least one other day of store hours, however they need more volunteers willing to repair and sell the bikes.

If you, or somebody you know, is good at fixing bicycles or is interested in learning, please consider volunteering at their shop. The bike repair department is the most integral part of the Bike Exchange, and is often the most enjoyable. Individuals and organizations can learn more about all of the volunteer opportunities on the BCGN volunteer web page.

Please consider bringing your unused bikes to the Bike Exchange where all donations are tax-exempt. In addition to individual donations, sponsored Bike Drives can be conducted at places of employment, places of worship and elsewhere. See the donation page on the BGCN website for more information on both donating your old bike and about running a Bike Drive.

The Bike Exchange is also excited about the new bike lane on their street, which starts two blocks north of their new location at Raymond Boulevard and heads north to Washington Park. It makes a great place to try out your new bike and celebrate the first of six planned bike lanes throughout the city.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark has served as a critical haven for the young people of Newark for generations.

Whether through after-school and summer enrichment programs, guided sports activities or mentoring, BGCN provides a safe and nurturing place for city children to learn and play.

Purchases from the Bike Exchange help them continue to provide critical services and carry forward the mission and tradition of Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark.