Twenty-seven reused and refurbished bikes were donated to local nonprofits today as part of a collaboration between the City of Long Beach, Waste Management Inc. and Pedal Movement.

During a ceremony at Bikestation Long Beach in the city’s downtown neighborhood, city officials and local leaders gathered to donate the bikes to Long Beach Blast and Partners of Parks who will give the bikes to at-risk youth and families throughout the city as a means to improve mobility and promote healthy living, reuse and recycling, city officials stated.

“Long Beach is a progressive city when it comes to recycling and mobility so ensuring that we have access to great bike infrastructure is important but also we want to make sure that all people have bikes as well.” Mayor Robert Garcia said.

In May, the Public Works Department asked residents to donate unwanted bicycles as part of the Long Beach Bike Month recycle program. Waste Management Inc. set up drop-off facilities and received a total of 41 bicycles. The 27 salvageable bikes were refurbished by Pedal Movement before being given to the local non-profits for redistribution.

City officials said the Recycle Your Bike Program will become an annual event so members of the community can continue to donate their unwanted bike in May for Long Beach Bike Month.