Bikes & Music: Bringing Music & Motion to Chicago

Our passion for music and movement drives the foundation of this organization. The mission of Bikes & Music is to give all children the opportunity to enjoy bicycling and music to serve the development of the body and mind for happiness and well-being. We provide donated bicycles and instruments and access to instruction, guidance and group events. Bikes & Music is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation serving Chicagoland children who might not otherwise have access to these opportunities.

Bikes & Music has a goal to raise $25,000 by September 24th, 2022. The funds are needed for the repair of donated bicycles, instruments, and for the purchase of new bike helmets and locks. The bikes and equipment will be provided to children and adults in need. Musical instruments often get sent out to CPS schools in need.

Since the start of 2022, Bikes & Music has collected over 100 bicycles throughout Chicagoland. “We received a terrific response to our spring bike drive,” says Bikes & Music co-founder Ryan Gable. “We have supported organizations that are doing amazing work, like Home of the Sparrow and Refugee One. We’ve supplied these refurbished bikes along with helmets and locks to children and some adults that need bikes for fun but also as a mode of transportation to work and school!”

The challenge now and the mission of the fundraiser is to cover the tune-ups and repairs for these bikes. When you add in the cost of helmets and locks, it takes about $100 to get each bike ready to go and into the hands of someone that desperately wants one.

Gable explains that repairing used bicycles keeps them out of landfills. “We could almost buy new bikes for what repairs and parts cost sometimes. But we are dedicated to doing the right thing for the planet by recycling bikes that just need a little love. We’re fortunate to have support from two local bike shops (Crank Revolution in Hoffman Estates and Never Ending Cycles in Streamwood) for the safety checks, maintenance and repairs. They do everything they can to keep our costs to a minimum.”

Now through September 24th, donations for Bikes & Music’s “Fall Fun-Raiser” will be accepted online at https://gofundme.com/bikesandmusic. Donations are eligible for tax deduction.

All who donate are welcome to join in for a group bicycle ride at your own pace on September 24th at the Paul Douglas Preserve in Hoffman Estates from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is an 8.6 mile paved trail suitable for riders at all levels, and a new 7.5 mile single-track mountain bike trail built by the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (https://www.cambr.org/). After the group bicycle ride, Crank Revolution will host a cookout for participants from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. We will have food, refreshments, games and music, located across the street from the Paul Douglas Preserve at 1636 W Algonquin Road.

All donations are welcome and appreciated. Attending the ride is not required. To make a donation to Bikes & Music, or to learn more about the organization and its mission, visit bikesandmusic.org.