Where do old bicycles go? In a perfect wasteless world, they would be put back out on the street with new owners, which is exactly what Recycle-A-Bicycle Inc. aims to do.

"Our vision,” says executive director Lisa Stein, “is to promote the reuse of bikes, their sustainable maintenance and safe use.”

The organization started in 1994 under Transportation Alternatives with a mission to use the bicycle as an empowerment tool for New York City youth. Its numerous youth programs now include bicycle maintenance and repair workshops for youth ages of 10 to 18, which discuss mechanical work “in the context of the environmental benefits of recycling and bicycle transportation,” says its website, www.recycleabicycle.org.

The program offers kids the opportunity to get their own bikes using sweat equity and putting in extra credit hours in the “Earn-A-Bike” program. The bikes that are not earned are donated to other outdoor youth community organizations or sold through the organization’s two retail locations (Lower East Side and DUMBO). The donated bikes come from the community, and those beyond repair are broken down and reused or recycled for teaching and for parts. “We are very grateful and dependent on the support of the community,” says Stein.

The retail store is a key part of the non-profit’s organization as all of its revenue goes back into the programs. “The majority of our funding comes from the retail store,” says Stein, along with donations and private grants. The retail locations also do bike repairs and rent out refurbished bikes. Take note readers: The DUMBO location has a tandem bike to rent, which you can take out by the hour or by the day. You can also learn how to keep your bike in top shape at one of its volunteer nights on Mondays at its classroom/warehouse space in Long Island City. On Tuesdays (Ladies night) and Thursdays you can learn about bike repair and maintenance at the DUMBO location and become part of the local bike community.

Recycle-A-Bicycle also sponsors a youth ride club, funded by local organizations like Bike New York and the New York Cycle Club. The club works with 10 to 14 year olds to teach them bike safety and how to ride in the streets safely. By the end of the spring program this year the group had worked up to doing a 40-mile bike ride. For locations and more information, check out its website.