Battle Ground Boy Scout collecting bikes for Eagle Scout project

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Eli Robinson doesn’t own a bicycle anymore, but if he did, he’d be out riding it.

The 15-year-old Battle Ground resident and Boy Scout is hoping to earn his Eagle Scout badge by helping others who are in need of a bike for work, school or recreational purposes. Working with the Community Cycling Center in Portland, Robinson is not only collecting unused and unwanted bicycles, but also refurbishing them so they can get back out on the road.

“It was a situation where I was looking for a project that could help fill a need in the community and because so many people ride bikes in Portland and up here, it just made sense,” Robinson said.

The Community Cycling Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 with the goal to broaden access to bicycling and its benefits. It got its start as a riding and repair school for kids after its founder Brian Lacy, noticed kids riding on broken bikes.

“We believe people regardless of income, education, age, or ethnic background should have a chance to utilize healthy active transportation for work, travel or recreation,” said Volunteer Outreach Coordinator Randi Orth. “To that end, we’re always looking to work with people like Eli and when he came to us and said he wanted to help out by bringing us bikes to fix up and give to people, we were more than happy to support him.”

Robinson got his start in the scouts six years ago and he said it’s been an instrumental part of his life ever since, as well as a family tradition.

“It’s been amazing and I’m the youngest of three brothers, both of whom are also Eagle Scouts, so I felt a little bit of pressure to get there, but I’ve had a lot of fun,” he said.



Currently a junior in Clark College’s Running Start program, Robinson intends to apply to BYU-Hawaii, which is also a large part of his family history.

“My parents met there as students and both my brothers are alumni, so I’m looking forward to getting there myself,” he said.

Robinson’s plans are to study software engineering and networking with plans to possibly start his own company following graduation.

In the meantime, he and his fellow Boy Scouts will be out in Clark County in November collecting bikes hoping they can get a new life with people who need them.

“We’ll take any bikes if they’re in good shape or not, because we can also take parts to use on new bikes,” Robinson said. “I’m hoping for a goal of 15 bikes to get turned around by the end of the month, and then we’ll get them off hopefully before Christmas.”

To donate a used bicycle to Eli, call him at (360) 263-3706 or email, bikes@panventures.com. Robinson will schedule an appointment to collect the bikes, which will then be delivered to the Community Cycling Center. The deadline for donations is Sat., Nov. 30.

More information about the center is available at www.communitycyclingcenter.org.