Sunriver Scene July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 14
Recycling on two wheels: A case for pre-loved bicycles
By Lily Pifferini-Carter
In Sunriver, summertime is
synonymous with bikes. You’ll
hear the cheerful ding of bells
and the sound of two wheels
rolling across pavement.
With approximately 34 miles
of paved pathways winding
through Sunriver, everywhere
you want to visit is accessible
by bike. The constant overflow
of bike parking at all the goto summer spots is evidence
that bikes are not only a major mode of transportation
around town, but a huge part of
its identity.
At the Second Tern Thrift
Store, we are proponents of
keeping these bikes in circulation and offering a selection
of secondhand bikes for sale
throughout the summer.
Globally, an estimated 15
million bikes are discarded
every year with most of them
ending up in landfills. Bike
frames are commonly made
of aluminum, which is highly
carbon-intensive in its production, emitting more than 15
tons of carbon dioxide for every
ton of aluminum produced.
The lightweight carbon fiber in
many high-performance bikes
emits 20 to 30 tons of carbon
dioxide per ton of material
made. The rubber used to produce bike tires is often a blend
of natural rubber harvested
from trees and petrochemicalbased synthetic rubbers, which
both have their own unique
effect on the environment.
Most bikes that end up in
landfills are cheap, mass-produced models, and their use is
unlikely to offset the impact of
their production.
Considering a global average
of 100 million bikes are produced each year, making more
sustainable choices whenever
possible can make a significant
difference. If buying new, look
for bikes made from recycled
or low-emission aluminum,
or metals with a lower carbon
footprint production. There are
even bikes on the market with
frames crafted from bamboo.
But truthfully, the most sustainable bike is the one you
already own or one you purchase secondhand. Every time
a bicycle is reused rather than
discarded, we extend the life of
the materials already extracted
and reduce demand for new
manufacturing.
Buying a pre-loved bicycle is
a great option for children who
quickly outgrow bikes. Sourcing a bike from the Second
Tern is also perfect for anyone
who is a casual rider and doesn’t
need the latest and greatest
model, or who wants to try a
new type of biking for the first
time. We get a variety of bikes,
including cruisers, road bikes
and mountain bikes. Many of
these pre-used bikes, especially
vintage ones, are well built and
designed to last for decades.
Second Tern Bike
Department
Volunteers in the bike department at the Second Tern
Thrift Store, fondly nicknamed
“Bike Guys,” work tirelessly to
inspect donated bikes.
They do light repairs and
tuneups, as well as replacing
any parts that are missing or
broken. Test rides and safety
checks are completed before
the bike is placed for sale. This
mechanical expertise, accompanied by chill tunes on the
radio in their workstation, is
donated to the community
through bikes that have been
given a second chance. They
can process hundreds of bikes
that will be sold over the course
of summer. Any bikes that are
determined to be beyond help
are allocated to metal recycling
instead of going to the landfill,
and those we can’t get to before
winter are passed on to other
charities. The purchase of any
bike or anything else from
the Second Tern goes to support environmental education
in our community through
the Sunriver Nature Center
& Observatory.
Trails to explore
After scoring new-to-you
bikes at the Second Tern, use
them to explore the Sunriver
area. A must-ride featuring
many Sunriver must-see spots
is the River Loop. Be sure to
stop by the nature center along
the way, there’s plenty of bike
parking! You also can ride the
Sun-Lava paved pathway starting near Circle 7 for a longer
5.5-mile trek from Sunriver
to Benham Falls. If you fancy
some unpaved trails, explore
the COTA mountain biking
trails that begin off Cardinal
Landing Bridge.
Be sure to keep in mind your
level of skill and always wear a
helmet. A secondhand bike is
more than just a bargain. It is
a way to reduce waste that supports community volunteers,
gives back to a good cause and
encourages a healthy and fun
outdoor activity.
Through the work of volunteers, hundreds of bicycles
are given a second life each
year rather than ending up as
waste. In a community where
cycling is woven into daily life,
those refurbished bikes help
connect residents and visitors
alike to the trails, pathways and
outdoor experiences that make
Sunriver unique.
The Second Tern Thrift Store
is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on
Friday and Saturday. Donations are accepted until 2 p.m.
The store is located at 17377
Spring River Road.
Vote YES - to invest in our grandkid’s future.
Vote YES - to protect our property values.
Vote YES - to keep our maintenance fees affordable.
Sunriver’s amenities are great, but we must continue investing to remain a desirable residential and resort community. By
voting YES brings fairness over the disparity in owner’s fees from condos/small homes vs larger homes. YES a Capital Transfer
Fee is legal and many other HOA’s impose these fees on real estate transactions.
Please join us in voting
YES for the Capital Transfer Fee:
Gerhard Beenen • Cathy Brucker • Bill Burke • Scott Fenton • Brian & Brenda McCarthy • Kirk & Pam Hays • Kara Kerker • Steve & Sharon Konopa • Corey Wright
Steve Murray • Catalina Nocon • Clark & Rita Pederson • David Ritchie • Roni & Steve Jacknow • Dave & Stefani Shanberg • Bob & DD Stillson
John & Kathleen Vogel • Bill & Susan Meyer • Richard Pickard • Marc & Karol Cameron (SR Brewing Company) • Elizabeth & David Klein • Keith Mobley
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JULY 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
