Members of the homeless community will receive 100 bicycle that were left behind by UF students.
On Thursday, the bicycles will be given out at the local homeless shelter Grace Marketplace, said Theresa Lowe, executive director of the shelter. They will be used by homeless people who don’t have another mode of transportation to go to doctor’s appointments and job interviews.
“It’s a great way to get around,” Lowe said. “If you’re on foot, you can only go so far. With a bike, that expands your range quite a bit.”
The bicycles were donated by Mike Weber, the owner of Superior Towing, she said. He bought the bicycles from UF’s auction service run by University Police. Weber refurbished the used bicycles and will present them at the shelter at 11 a.m.
Alex Touchton, 22, said he knows UPD occasionally takes bicycles left behind by students.
The bicycles left on campus during breaks probably aren’t that expensive, he said, adding the students who leave them probably don’t care.
“I think it’s a good cause,” the UF chemistry senior said. “It’s a good program.”
Lowe said the homeless shelter has received bicycles in the past, but this will be the largest donation to date. Weber started donating a few bicycles every month for the past six months.
“It’s special to have this many bikes coming all at once,” Lowe said.
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mkornfield@alligator.org
A UF employee removes a lock from an abandoned bicycle using a blowtorch outside Rawlings Hall.
