Written by Lynn Monty

Bicycle chains can sometimes be a matter of contention -- especially when they have a habit of falling off.

But at Bike Recycle Vermont, they are a thing of beauty. Bike parts are crafted into bracelets, belts and earrings in this Burlington basement shop.

When she's not fixing bikes, Christine Hill, 22, of Burlington holds crafting workshops at the Burlington nonprofit, which is a program of LocalMotion. She has worked at Bike Recycle Vermont for a little more than a year, after starting as a volunteer because she believed in the mission.

Founder Ron Manganiello of South Burlington started recycling bikes in his backyard seven years ago, Hill said.

"He had a friend working for the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program who asked for bikes for a family to get around," she said. "He went to the dump and took some bikes out of the trash and fixed them up to the best of his ability and gave them to the family. Then he got another call, and then another, and then another call. This was an unmet need in the community."

Hill works full-time at the shop now as an AmeriCorps State volunteer. She gets paid a small living stipend, she said.

"The whole goal is to fight poverty," she said. "Bike Recycle provides bikes to low-income Vermonters at a low cost. There is a very high population of people in Burlington who cannot afford to get a car, but need to get to work.

"A bike enables people to get jobs, to get around town and feel empowered. That's what we are here for."

AmeriCorps State positions are a 12-month term of service. Hill will be at her post until Aug. 2012. She said she is learning how to fix bikes, and the ins and outs of non-profit management.

"There is an expiration date on the job," Hill said. "I love this place. I love working here. Part of me never wants to leave."

Bike Recycle Vermont distributes 500 to 700 bikes a year. "We sell maybe two in the month of February, but 20 a day in June," Hill said. "Summer is madness. We love it. Our volunteers repair 300 bikes every winter."

All bikes that come into the shop for repair are donated. Since Hill's arrival in 2009, bikes that cannot be repaired are often upcycled into highly coveted crafts like bottle openers.

"We can't keep them in stock," Hill said with a laugh.

Other popular items crafted include bracelets made from spokes and chain, earrings from rubber innertube and belts out of tires. Hill recently made a chandelier out of rims, gears and chain links for a wedding gift.

"I learned this by just playing with stuff," she said. "When I started volunteering here, I was an art major at UVM and it was trial by fire. As soon as we got ideas that worked, we started teaching other people and it just snowballed."

Wednesday evenings are now dubbed "make stuff night" at Bike Recycle. Volunteers are invited to help craft items to be sold at local markets. Proceeds are used to keep the shop doors open.

"I also welcome people to come in and be innovative and creative and make their own things," Hill said. "We always want volunteers to make things for themselves especially with the holidays."

The recycled jewelry can be purchased at the Winooski Holiday Pop-Up Market and Burlington City Arts Holiday Market this month, and online at http://www.localmotion.org/bikerecycledesigns.

Hill is urging people to volunteer. She is looking for experienced mechanics and jewelry crafters. Bike donations are always needed.

For more information, call 264-9687 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or just stop by Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. at 664 Riverside Avenue, next to Benways Taxi, in the basement of Good News Garage.

WHAT: MAKE STUFF! Wednesday Nights

WHERE: Bike Recycle Vermont, 664 Riverside Avenue, Burlington

WHEN: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays

CONTACT: 264-9687 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WHAT: Winooski Holiday Pop-Up Market

WHEN: Wed. through Sat. from noon to 6 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 4 through Dec. 31.

WHERE: 25 Winooski Falls Way, Suite 317, the entrance to the market is on Main Street

WHAT: Burlington City Arts Holiday Market

WHERE: Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall

WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday Dec. 16 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday Dec. 17.

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