125 Bikes, One Rainy Day, and a Whole Lot of Community Spirit

On April 23, the Sustainable Stillwater MN community showed up in the best way possible—rain and all—for our Annual City-Wide Bike Collection at HealthPartners Clinic Stillwater. What could have been a quiet, weather-dampened day turned into something much bigger: a steady stream of neighbors pulling in, trunks popping open, and bikes—some well-loved, some long-forgotten—finding new purpose.

By the end of the event, 125 bikes had been collected. Each one represents more than just a donation—it’s a future ride to school, a new sense of independence, or a simple joy waiting to be rediscovered.

This annual event is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: unused bikes shouldn’t sit idle when they can be repaired, reused, and put back into motion. Through our continued partnership with HealthPartners Lakeview Hospital, those bikes will now be split between two incredible Minnesota organizations—Express Bikes and Bikes4Kids—where they’ll be refurbished and redistributed to youth and families who need them most.

The energy throughout the day was steady, positive, and community-driven. Volunteers and partners worked side by side to unload, sort, and stack bikes as they came in. Despite the drizzle, there was no shortage of smiles, conversations, and a shared sense that this effort—this collective act of giving—matters.

We also saw the ripple effect of strong local connections. Promotion through community channels like Nextdoor helped drive participation, and support from partners like Lyndale Plant Services—who donated wildflower seed packets—added an extra layer of generosity and connection to the day.

Of course, every event brings insight for what’s next. This year sparked conversations about how we might expand—whether that’s extending collection time, utilizing additional storage space, or even coordinating bike pickups from community members who gather donations on our behalf. It’s clear there’s room to grow, and just as clear that the community is ready for it.

At its core, this event reflects what Sustainable Stillwater MN is all about: practical, people-powered solutions that reduce waste, expand access, and bring neighbors together. One bike at a time.

Rain or shine—we’ll keep showing up.