October 22, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Madison, WI – Dane County charity Madison Freewheel Bicycle Co announced that its board of directors has chosen Lang Schmitt as the organization’s new executive director.
Schmitt has spent several months transitioning into his new role within Freewheel, after spending a year within the organization as a grant writer and member of Freewheel’s board. He brings extensive nonprofit experience from his time working within cooperative housing and LGBTQ+ organizations.
Freewheel’s new executive director arrives at a turning point in the organization’s history. This summer, Freewheel opened the new downtown Madison Bike Center (202 S. Pinckney St) with the support and assistance of the City of Madison. The Madison Bike Center’s offerings are currently limited due to COVID-19. The facility currently offers bike repair and retail services, with mechanical instruction limited to eight attendees. Freewheel’s board is still discussing how to safely roll out other planned offerings at the facility, including more extensive classes, along with member services like secure bike and item storage, changing rooms, and showers.
Freewheel thanks its previous executive director, Elijah McCloskey, for his years of service to Freewheel. McCloskey’s lengthy tenure as Freewheel’s executive director has been invaluable toward ensuring the financial security of Freewheel, and the long-term viability of its original location on 1804 S. Park St. McCloskey continues to work with Freewheel as a volunteer and donor.
“2020 has brought a lot of challenges for us as an organization,” said Schmitt. “But it’s created a lot of opportunities, too. We’ve seen plenty of fresh interest in bikes as a safe means of travel and exercise during the pandemic, and more people are seeking carbon-neutral transportation as they learn about the dangers of climate change. Freewheel has our work cut out for us, and I’m very optimistic about our ability to create positive change in and around Madison.”
ABOUT FREEWHEEL
Madison Freewheel Bicycle Co is a registered 501(c)3, dedicated to providing all human beings with people-powered transportation. Since its founding in 2003, Freewheel has taught free mechanical and bike safety classes to thousands of riders, on the grounds that everyone should be able to build, repair, and maintain their own bicycle. Freewheel accepts donations of bicycles and their parts from the community, and provides them to people in need.
CONTACT
Noelle Reading
noelle@freewheelbikes.org
608-698-9205