White Oak Bicycle Cooperative in Red Bank recently received national recognition when the Trust for Public Land announced that White Oak was one of only eight organizations across the nation selected to receive a grant from TPL’s Equitable Communities Fund. The $10,000 grant will allow White Oak Bicycle Co-Op, a volunteer-run, non-profit organization, to purchase equipment and bolster its ability to make bicycling available to everyone.
“On behalf of White Oak Bicycle Cooperative, I would like to thank the Trust for Public Land for supporting our organization’s mission to provide free access to bicycles and bicycle repair services to those in need through the Equitable Communities Fund,” said Blake Pierce, executive director of White Oak Bicycle Co-Op. “The support from the City of Red Bank has been instrumental in our success, from allowing Fire Station #1 to serve as a donation site to providing our organization access to White Oak Park to host our events. This support has allowed us to not only serve those in our Red Bank community, but also in neighboring communities.”
The Trust for Public Land became aware of the Co-Op through their work on a one-mile trail connector between Stringer’s Ridge Park in North Chattanooga and White Oak Park in Red Bank. The grant will help the organization purchase a trailer for transporting equipment to events; a tent; work table; tool set, and parts like tubes, chains, and tires, among other things.
“I am thrilled to see White Oak Bicycle Co-Op receiving national recognition as well as a grant to help them further their mission of making bicycle transportation accessible to all,” said Red Bank Mayor Berry. “The City of Red Bank is fortunate to be able to partner with passionate and dedicated residents like these to improve not only the lives of those in our community but our neighboring communities as well.”
White Oak Bicycle Co-Op focuses on providing bicycles to children, low-income households, and individuals experiencing homelessness. To date, the organization has donated 63 bicycles back to the community. For additional information on White Oak Bicycle Co-Op, go to www.whiteoakbicycle.org More information on the Trust for Public Land’s Equitable Communities Fund can be found at www.tpl.org/equitable-communities-fund.