Great Maine Bike Swap Enjoys Huge Growth

The 2009 Great Maine Bike Swap attracted record-breaking crowds in Portland and Orono. The number of bikes sold at the two events rose by 55 percent compared to the previous year.

"The swap provides a real public service by helping people buy used bikes in good condition at a reasonable price," said Allison Vogt, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM). "As a result, more Mainers are biking to work and school, or using bikes for errands around town. More families are biking together to get exercise and spend time outside. Bicyclists are saving money, improving their health and helping the environment."

Those who sold bikes at the Great Maine Bike Swap earned extra money from unused bikes that otherwise would clutter their basements or garages. Some used the money to upgrade their bikes. The swap raised thousands of dollars for BCM's safety and education programs.

This year's swap at the University of Maine drew 586 people, double the number that attended the previous year. Sales also doubled, totaling 139 bikes. The swap at the University of Southern Maine attracted 1,858 people, and 435 bikes were sold.

A total of more than 180 volunteers helped the swap run smoothly. The two events attracted lots of media attention, including stories on WCSH6 and in the Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News and several other publications.

"The Great Maine Bike Swap is a community gathering that brings together those who love to bike and those just getting started," said Vogt. The 2009 swap featured displays by more than 40 vendors and nonprofit exhibitors as well as the BCM booth and refreshments.

Many thanks to our hosts at the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine. Thanks, too, to the student groups that worked on the swaps: the UMaine Cycling Club, the UMaine Tackle Football Club, USM's Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and students in Dr. David Jones' outdoor recreation class at USM.

2009 Bike Swap Sponsored By...

Photos From the 2009 Swap
Photos by Erik West and Herbert Crosby
Photos of USM swap by Amee Rice
Crowd outside USM Swap	Two women shop at USM Swap	Wide shot of bikes at USM Swap
Two boys smile at USM Swap	Cute girl at USM Swap