About
Recycle Ithaca’s Bicycles is a program of the Southside Community Center. We are a community bike shop that has operated in Ithaca for nearly 20 years. RIBs accepts donations of unwanted bicycles, effectively rerouting them from landfills. Volunteers and RIBs staff refurbish the bicycles to good working condition and redistribute them to community members. RIBs provides Ithaca youth and adults alike with a safe, structured environment, where people of all ages can learn about bike repair and working cooperatively and constructively with others.
The two main programs offered at RIBs are the RIBs Open-Shop and the RIBs Hands-On Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Clinic. These programs provide opportunities to learn bicycle mechanics and safe riding skills. All of our programs are open to both youth and adults and require a sliding-scale nominal fee. However, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. We simply ask that you volunteer a set amount of time for the services you request.
Mission of Southside
Since its incorporation in 1934, the Southside Community Center, Inc., continues to affirm, empower, and foster the development of self pride among the African-American citizens of greater Ithaca. Through forums and activities in education, recreation, political and social awareness, the Southside Community Center is a community resource center. We serve as a vehicle to develop an appreciation for the contributions and presence of those peoples of African descent in the greater Ithaca community and in the larger world community.
Mission of RIBs
To support sustainable communities by promoting the reuse and maintenance of bicycles. Each year hundreds of Ithacans utilize our program which has restored well over 2000 bikes since 1991!