Bike Cochrane has rolled out the new bike recycling initiative Back in Gear in collaboration with Cochrane High School’s Rivers, Oceans, and Mountains (ROAMS) program.
On Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Cochrane High School, community members are invited to donate used bicycles, purchase refurbished ones, or volunteer with Back in Gear. It will operate through to June 20.
“Thanks to start-up funding from the Cochrane Foundation, this new bike recycling program is helping our community work together to make bikes more accessible to everyone,” said program director Cody Alba. “We inspect every donation to make sure it’s worth fixing, and our volunteers—some new, some experienced—learn how to repair them properly. It’s a great way to give back and learn new skills.”
In addition to the donation of bikes at Cochrane High, parts such as tubes, tires, pedals, and handlebars are also being accepted at Big Hill Cycle and Bike Bros during regular business hours.
Residents can also submit bike requests on the Bike Cochrane website.
Financial sponsorships are welcome to help support the program.
Paul Perrault, Bike Cochrane’s director of operations, said the community has already seen the value of bike recycling thanks to a previous initiative out of Okotoks.
“For the last two years, our community has benefited greatly from the incredible bike recycling program called Full Cycle, operated out of Okotoks and the Percy Pegler School,” said Perrault. “This has allowed our bike swap to sell massively under-priced bikes to our community, and even in some cases donate them outright.”
More than 500 people attended the April 26 bike swap at the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society, with many children's bikes and bargain-priced models selling within the first 10 minutes of opening.
While refurbished bikes remain a big draw for families, the now-annual bike swap also attracts buyers looking for high-end rides.
This year, more than 18 bikes sold for over $1,000, with several gravel, road, and mountain bikes priced between $2,000 and $4,000. The event continues to offer a hassle-free alternative to online marketplaces, allowing sellers to avoid negotiations and buyers to inspect bikes in person.
Many buyers also appreciated being able to preview available bikes in advance through Bike Cochrane’s website and social media, helping them target specific models ahead of the event.
Back in Gear aims to continue that momentum locally, giving residents a hands-on opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable, bike-friendly community.
For more information, go to Back in Gear — Bike Cochrane.