D&R Greenway Land Trust has announced a new partnership with the Trenton Bike Exchange. D&R Greenway’s Princeton headquarters at the Johnson Education Center will become a new drop off point for donated bicycles.

The nonprofit Trenton Bike Exchange is run by volunteers who collect, condition, and sell used quality bikes from its shops in Ewing. The Bike Exchange offers a large selection of low cost bikes that have been reconditioned and are ready to ride. In addition to providing low-cost bicycles, the Bike exchange raises money for the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton, and helps Trenton teens get bicycle repair and job readiness skills. Since its founding in 2009 and after eight years in business, the Bike Exchange has sold more than 14,000 bikes and raised more than $670,000 for the Boys and Girls Club.

“We want to encourage people to use our bicycle trails,” says D&R Greenway Vice President Jay Watson. “The Exchange is a great way of recycling bicycles that some owners may no longer use, but are in excellent condition, assuring that everyone has an affordable opportunity to get out in nature. Cycling is a great way for families to spend time together outdoors, get a cardiovascular workout, see our preserves, and reap the health benefits of nature, all while keeping unused bicycles out of landfills.”

One of the many tree-lined cycling opportunities D&R Greenway offers is a few blocks away from the Bike Exchange’s Trenton store. D&R Greenway has been working on bridging the D&R Canal Path gap between Trenton’s Battle Monument and Bordentown City for the Circuit Trails, one of America’s largest trail networks. When completed, the Circuit Trails will include 750 miles of multi-use trails for cyclists, walkers, runners, commuters, and families for recreation and active transportation.

More than 300 miles of the Circuit Trails are now open, serving people across nine counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, Central, and South Jersey. Ultimately, working with Mercer County, D&R Greenway will lead the way to connect the Tulpehaking Nature Center, Abbott Marshlands and the Lawrence Hopewell Trail to the Circuit network.

“The Trenton Bike Exchange is excited about this collaboration with D&R Greenway,” says Ira Saltiel, Trenton Bike Exchange Volunteer Director. “The synergy between the two organizations is perfect as our mission is to get people on quality bikes at a low cost and D&R Greenway provides places to safely ride and enjoy the outdoors. Money generated through the donated bikes enables funding for children to attend after school programs at the Boys and Girls Club facilities.”

Bicycle drop off hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.drgreenway.org for more information.