For people recovering from substance use disorder without any access to transportation, getting their own set of wheels can be both liberating and life-changing.
In 2025, two Maine nonprofits joined forces to donate free bikes, helmets and locks to 17 people in recovery — a challenge that often overlaps with the stigma of prison time for those seeking to rebuild their lives.
Portland Gear Hub, the programming arm of Scarborough-based nonprofit Ketcha Outdoors, teamed up on the initiative with United Recovery Fund, a Portland organization that supports marginalized job seekers, particularly those in recovery facing barriers to employment.
Karen Stanley, executive director of United Recovery Fund and a Ketcha Outdoors board member, says the idea emerged from a coffee conversation with a friend familiar with both organizations.
The effort took off immediately as the two nonprofits started talking about tackling transportation challenges facing United Recovery Fund clients. Portland Gear Hub stepped up to provide bikes, equipment, and expertise for people identified by United Recovery Fund.
Already a champion of donating bikes to immigrants and others to improve accessibility to the outdoors, Portland Gear Hub was looking to expand its reach to other segments of society like those served by United Recovery Fund.
“2025 is the first year we leaned into partnerships, and with United Recovery Fund it was really easy,” says James O’Donnell, director of Portland Gear Hub, which operates a community bike and outdoor gear shop at 155 Washington Ave.
While Portland Gear Hub had already served people in recovery on an ad hoc basis, “this was a way to make an even greater impact,” he notes.
In addition to bikes, helmets and locks — most of which were distributed at a celebratory event — each recipient received hands-on training in basic maintenance and safe riding. At a time when none had access to a car, they hopped on their bikes to get to work, run errands and attend AA meetings while getting exercise and enjoying the outdoors.
While many now have other means of transportation, having the bikes at that stage of their recovery was liberating on several fronts – and are theirs to keep however long they want. “It does offer a lot of dignity and freedom,” Stanley says.
Ian Tovell, development director of Ketcha Outdoors, says the groups aim to expand the program.
“Together, we’re working to get more people on bikes as a reliable and accessible form of transportation, and we see a lot of potential in what we can accomplish together,” he says.
Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year: Putting pedal to the metal for Mainers in recovery
