Last week, I reported on RideTHISbike.com about bicycle advocacy groups around the country that are donating and distributing used bicycles to Katrina victims that lost their means of transportation as a result of the Hurricane. Earlier today, I received an update from Chris at the Derailer Bicycle Collective in Denver regarding their project to send bikes to Katrina victims in New Orleans.

Following are the 3 stages of the Derailer Bicycle Collective's project to help Katrina victims:
1. Build up as many bikes from our shop as we can afford in terms or our own resources (volunteer and material).
2. Drive a bus packed with the bikes and whatever else as well as volunteer bike mechanics down to New Orleans.
3. Spend a week or so helping distribute and build up bikes (the timeframe for the trip is early to mid December).

The Derailer Bicycle Collective is a purely non-profit, 100% volunteer run organization that offers a variety of cycling related services in Denver absolutely free of charge. The Collective's operating budget is derived completely from community donations and is comprised of roughly a whopping $150 per month; yet, the Collective manages to send out 100 bikes a month and helps repair twice that amount to those who need it.

As you can imagine, the Derailer Bicycle Collective is stretched thin for volunteers and resources already so their project to help Katrina victims is truly awe inspiring. Any help that folks can offer to the Derailer Bicycle Collective would be greatly appreciated.