The 34th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment, hosted by PEC, was held Oct. 17 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort. This post is part of a series celebrating the six local initiatives and two individuals recognized for their contributions to environmental protection and restoration in the region.
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The Anthracite Bicycle Coalition, based in Scranton, started in 2012 with the goal of promoting bike safety. Since then, its mission has evolved to include operating a beloved community resource, Cycle Kitchen, where people of any age or skill can come to learn about bikes and find one that works for them.
“It’s about fixing up bikes, for getting kids riding again, getting adults riding again, and teaching people how to fix their own bikes,” Board Member Patrick Sine said of the organization.
The Coalition’s President, Gene McDonough, defines a cyclist as anyone who gets on a bicycle, and his goal is to encourage more people to do so.
Cycle Kitchen is Northeast Pennsylvania’s first and only bicycle cooperative that empowers people to repair and maintain their bikes. Bikes donated from the community are available for free for kids; adults can also receive a bike in exchange for volunteering or making a donation.
“Rather than bikes going to the garbage, we take those bikes in and we clean them up,” McDonough said.
Nearby is a pump track to build off-road cycling skills. Kids get a chance to try minor bike repairs to build their confidence.
“Biking for a lot of people is just a toy, but for a lot of other people it’s transportation, it’s mobility. Having the know-how to fix that bike means having that much more assurance,” Sine said.
Owing to the Coalition’s success, McDonough said, are the strong partnerships built over the years, with groups like the Scranton Area Foundation, Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, Valley in Motion, Neighborhood Works, and PEC.
On Nov. 16, the Coalition, in partnership with Groove Brewing, is hosting its annual Cranksgiving, described as “a food drive on two wheels.” It includes a group ride and scavenger hunt followed by food, drinks, and live music. Donations from the event will support the NEPA Youth Shelter.
The Anthracite Bicycle Coalition received a 2024 Environmental Partnership Award for cultivating and maintaining those strong connections to the community. Its members were honored at the 34th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment on Oct. 17 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort, Plains, PA. To learn more about the awards and to see the full list of this year’s winners, click here.