EGG HARBOR TWP.-- Residents came out to the Atlantic County Utilities Authority to drop off their used bicycles for proper recycling. Jennifer Husko finds out these unwanted bikes aren't just staying out of landfills, they're actually helping to change the life of someone in need.

Here in the United States, bikes are typically ridden for recreation and many sit unused for years.

So the New Jersey based non-profit organization, Pedals for Progress takes the used bikes that have no real value here in the states, and sends them overseas to provide transportation and opportunity to the working poor of the world.

"People come drop off their bikes, minimum donation of ten dollars for every bike, it costs about 40 dollars to send a bike overseas," said Gary Michel, Collection Coordinator for Pedals for Progress.

They do about 90 collections a year across the state, including here in Atlantic County.

As collections roll in, volunteers from Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing and the community prepare the bikes for shipment to Moldova in Eastern Europe.

"People really want to help everybody," said Michel.

Peddles for Progress not only provides economic aid for struggling countries, but reduces waste here at home.

"First of all it's not going to be in our landfills and taking up that space because it doesn't degrade and also to help other people in other countries have a better life," said Stephanie Piratzky who donated two bikes.

Each year American's purchase 22 million new bicycles and discard millions of old ones, and when you give to Pedals for Progress you're not just donating a bicycle you're helping to develop world economies.

"We're sending the bikes and sewing machines to really the poorest of the world," said Michel.

When towns or villages overseas receive the donations, a bike shop is needed which helps create new and permanent jobs. "This becomes a job for them, becomes a little economy, they do actually sell the bikes we don't give away."

Since the organization formed 18 years ago, they have sent over 115 thousand bikes to 32 developing world countries. "You go to a place like that and see how many people are just walking everywhere...I mean...you can't even imagine."

So with the generosity of people everywhere, they're helping change the world one pedal at a time.

Pedals for Progress also collects sewing machines to help people have their own resource to create a business.

For more information click on the links section of our website.