Re-Tired Recyclers: Breathing New Life Into Old Bikes Since 1996

NEWBERG, Ore. — In a quiet workshop on private property, a small group of volunteers turns rusted, forgotten bicycles into lifelines.

Since 1996, Re-Tired Recyclers has been fixing up broken or discarded bikes and donating them to community members in need.

The project began when a few workers at the former Smurfit WestRock paper mill, which closed officially in 2015, noticed bikes were consistently tossed into the scrap metal bin.

Rather than see them hauled off as junk, the workers began salvaging and rebuilding them—first for kids, then for anyone who needed reliable transportation.

“It was really rewarding work,” said John Kalenda, 92, the last living founder of the original group. “Just to see some of those kids out there on their first bike, or something like that. The smile on their faces. We loved doing it.”

The organization originally refurbished bikes for children at Edwards and Mabel Rush elementary schools, as well as through the Newberg Fire Department’s Toy & Joy program. Over time, as community needs shifted and distributing children’s bikes became less feasible, the group began focusing on adults.

Today, the group donates more than 150 bikes a year to local nonprofits, including Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC.), 5 Rock Ranch, Yamhill County’s Abacus mental health program, and the Newberg Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Volunteers clean, repair, and tune up each bicycle, often pairing them with a helmet and lock before they’re given away.

“Yamhill County Mental Health started reaching out to me because they have clients who are looking for a job, and the only means of transportation is a bike — and that’s important,” said Re-Tired Recyclers coordinator Mike Secrist.

Secrist, a Newberg resident of 32 years, joined the team four years ago after retiring. By then, most of the original founders had died, and the organization needed new support.

“It gives me a chance to keep my mind and hands busy,” Secrist said. “And it helps people in our community who really need it.”

Love INC, the group’s largest distribution partner, gave out 125 bikes last year through Newberg’s First Presbyterian Church.

“It’s a really unique thing because there are children, adults, people who are houseless, many from lower incomes,” said First Presbyterian Church Pastor Chris Murphy. “It’s people of all different ethnic backgrounds, people from all different cultures. It’s cool to see how far it’s reaching.”

Murphy recalled a story about an Afghan family who relocated to the area as refugees. The family’s mother died in childbirth, leaving behind the father and six children. Another Presbyterian church—Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Portland—learned about the bike program and referred the family.

“We happened to have enough bikes for him and all of his kids to get refurbished bikes,” Murphy said. “It was one of those moments where you’re just so grateful. And then locally, we have many families that wouldn’t be able to easily afford a bike. It really covers the full spectrum—whether it’s a houseless person looking to get to work or a lower-income family, it really connects a lot of different people.”

Thanks to recent grants from local organizations like the Newberg Early Bird Rotary Club, Secrist said Re-Tired Recyclers was able to provide a new lock and helmet to every Love INC and Yamhill County bike recipient in 2023—something he called a “game changer” for safety and practicality.

The current crew includes four retired volunteers, each contributing between three and 12 hours a week. Over the decades, their work has extended far beyond Yamhill County. Bikes have been donated to flood victims on the East Coast via Evergreen Aviation and shipped to countries such as Uganda and Romania through Northwest Medical Teams.

Most bikes come from community donations, often sourced through Facebook Marketplace. Occasionally, Secrist secures larger collections from others with similar missions. He said needs ebb and flow, but the goal is to ensure usable bikes and parts don’t end up in landfills.

“I’m betting many people have a bike in their garage collecting dust,” he said. “We’ll put it to good use.”

To apply for a bike, residents can call Love INC to schedule an intake appointment, which takes about 45 minutes. During the appointment, applicants meet with a volunteer to share their needs and learn about available services.

Once approved, clients receive information on how to pick up a bike and may receive one bike per year.

Community members interested in donating bikes can also contact Love INC to arrange a drop-off.

With basic repairs, replacement parts like brake pads and cables, and a little elbow grease, Re-Tired Recyclers continues its mission nearly 30 years in. Secrist said they’re not currently seeking new volunteers, but that may change in the future. While the work is engaging, the real motivation is what a bike provides.

“We’re not just fixing bikes—we’re giving people freedom, independence and a way forward,” he said.