Old wheels, new purpose

Faris Malki takes pride that his business is about more than selling fresh sets of wheels. As owner of Cahaba Cycles on Cahaba Heights Road, he tries to participate in at least 100 charity events a year.

“We are involved in a lot of school safety clinics,” Malki said. “We also work with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the area.”

And this holiday season, Malki and his cycle crew are doing something extra special to make sure that community members in need of bikes receive them. The store’s holiday trade special gives local cyclists the chance to donate their old bikes and receive credit toward the purchase of a new one. The old bikes will be redistributed throughout the community.

 “Basically anybody that has a bike that they are not using can bring it in, and we will give them a $30 credit towards a new one,” Malki said.

This holiday trade special is a joint effort between Cahaba Cycles and BiciCoop, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving access to cycling for transportation and recreation for all people of any age, race and income level in the community.

Malki said people are invited to bring in their bikes no matter their condition. The special runs through the end of December.

“We decided to do this because we wanted to take bikes that are not being used and put them in the hands of people that need them,” Malki said. “We have a goal of getting at least 100 donated bikes.”

Malki said they will work with BiciCoop to completely refurbish all the donated bikes. In January, the nonprofit organization will help Malki decide what local community members will receive the bicycles.

Malki said he has already seen a lot of excitement in the community about the special and has been receiving a large number of children’s bicycles. He believes the special helps everyone full circle.

“This gives people a chance to clean out their garages and also get a new bike,” Malki said. “It’s also just a great thing for the community.”

Cahaba Cycles is an independently owned and operated bicycle store that opened in 1982 in Cahaba Heights. They have additional locations in Homewood, Oak Mountain and Trussville. For more information on the store or the holiday special, visit cahabacycles.com.