Dear Friend,
Have you ever seen the thrill of a child riding a bicycle for the first time? Or the joy of a rider who’s just explored a new bike trail or route? Or the relief on a person’s face when they receive a fixed-up bike that will be their transportation to work, the grocery store, and recreation?
Among the highlights of Seacoast Area Bike Riders (SABR) efforts this year is the launch of Seacoast Pedal It Forward (SPIF). Our SPIF program repairs donated bikes and then connects with area nonprofit organizations and individuals to deliver safe and reliable bicycle transportation to those in need. We have distributed over 200 refurbished bikes this year, thanks to our hardworking volunteers and generous donors!
SABR continues to grow as a volunteer-led nonprofit whose multi-faceted bicycle activities and advocacy serve the Seacoast of New Hampshire and southern Maine. Since 1992, we have been working to make biking accessible, safe, and enjoyable for all types of riders.
This year, SABR’s volunteer members and board accomplished the following:
We advocated for safer streets and bike improvements at the state level and in Dover, Hampton, Kittery, Portsmouth, and beyond
We distributed 200+ refurbished bikes with locks, lights, and helmets during Seacoast Pedal It Forward’s first year, and partnered with Port City Makerspace to provide space and equipment for our volunteers to repair and distribute bikes
We partnered with the City of Portsmouth on a kids’ bike rodeo to teach safe riding skills and celebrate biking
We organized events such as Seacoast Bike Month, a Sustainability Ride, Bike-Eat-Shop Dover, bike repair clinics, Portsmouth’s Mayor’s Ride, and monthly “Coffee Outside” meet-ups around the Seacoast
We partnered with local businesses on the Bicycle Benefits program, which offers SABR members discounts and rewards for arriving by bike
We supported the statewide Commute Smart Challenge and other efforts to encourage bicycling
SABR is run entirely by volunteers, from our board members to those turning wrenches, supporting rides, or helping out at bike rodeos at our schools.
In 2024 our new SPIF program was largely funded by grants, but we still rely on individual donations to cover operating expenses and everything else we do.
Closing out the year, our goal is to raise $3,000 to cover rising costs and a growth in our operations. Thank you for making a donation today to keep SABR rolling strong into 2025. We greatly appreciate your support!
Happy New Year from the SABR board! Please join us at our annual meeting January 15 from 6:30 - 8 PM at Portsmouth Public Library.
Matt Glenn, President
Gerry Duffy, Vice President
Annie Poubeau, Treasurer
Kenneth Ferrer, Secretary
Jonathan Blakeslee
Grace Lessner
Kean McDermott
Dawn Przychodzien
