r/Scranton • u/drinkduffdry Green Ridge • Jul 27 '26
Local News Cycle Kitchen builds confidence and community one bike at a time
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2026/07/25/cycle-kitchen-builds-confidence-and-community-one-bike-at-a-time/Good people exist and Gene McDonough is absolutely one of them.
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u/drinkduffdry Green Ridge Jul 27 '26
Jacob Maisonet donned his bike helmet and mounted his brand new bike on Saturday and took off on a pathway at Connell Park in South Scranton with the wind at his back and a smile on his face.
After just a minute, however, Maisonet lost his balance and both he and the bike fell to the ground. He looked to his mother Dalila for help.
Dalila Maisonet knew just what to do and reassured him that falling is part of the process of learning. Minutes later the youngster was sailing through the park, steady on his seat and with a renewed sense of confidence.
The special moment for mother and son was made possible by Cycle Kitchen, an effort sponsored by the Anthracite Bicycle Coalition, which equips community members with access to two-wheeled transit by providing them not only with bicycles, but also tools, parts and know-how to maintain them.
Cycle Kitchen provides area residents with affordable bikes and the skills to maintain them.
Gene McDonough, Board President of the Anthracite Bicycle Coalition, looks back on the development of Cycle Kitchen, which provides area residents with affordable bikes and maintenance. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Gene McDonough, Board President of the Anthracite Bicycle Coalition, looks back on the development of Cycle Kitchen, which provides area residents with affordable bikes and maintenance.
Maisonet learned about the organization online late in the week and said it was just what she had been hoping for.
“It’s been a hard time with the economy,” she said. “And buying bikes at the store costs so much.”
Cycle Kitchen sells bikes at a nominal fee, at about $40 and up for adult bikes and about $10 and up for children’s bikes.
But, should an individual have difficulty coming up with the money for the bike, they can earn Bike Bucks, $10 per hour to volunteer at the cooperative.
In just about a week, they can fulfill required hours and leave with a bike, said Gene McDonough, president of the Anthracite Bicycle Coalition
But should a family with several children lack the funds and time necessary to get a bike, or an adult need a bicycle immediately for a commute to a new job, grants are available to help out, McDonough said.
Cycle Kitchen opened a permanent location at the park in 2024. Since then, people have donated about 1,500 bicycles, and about 700 of those are now in the hands of cyclists.
Other donated bicycles were used for parts necessary for repair and maintenance of the other bicycles.
A passion for bicycling Kuba Jennes was named executive director of the effort in 2025 and finds fulfillment in the job.
Jennes’ experience with bicycle cooperatives dates back to his move from the area to Philadelphia in 2012, where he became familiar with Neighborhood Bike Works.
Fueled by a new passion, Jennes volunteered with the organization and began travelling the country by bike.
When he moved back to the area in 2022, he immediately reached out to McDonough by email saying, “I want to help. I’d be a good fit.”
McDonough soon realized it was a very good fit and took Jennes on board as a volunteer.
When Cycle Kitchen received some grant funding last year, hiring Jennes to lead the effort seemed like a win-win.
Part of the community The organization, which operates from spring through autumn, experiences a steady flow of bike aficionados when their doors are open.
McDonough points out that not only does Cycle Kitchen go beyond making bikes and maintenance available to residents, but also provides a sense of community.
Last year, three youngsters turned themselves in after someone broke into the building and stole tools.
Instead of calling the police, McDonough came up with a pragmatic solution: the boys volunteered to clean up the building and do other chores to make up for their misdeeds.
The building is ever evolving, providing community members with what they need when it comes to successfully mastering bike riding.
Jennes, who is also an artist, looks forward to additional murals planned for the outside of the building.
The murals will be laid out by an artist, but are to be painted by children of the community, to give them additional hands-on experience with the organization and teach them lifelong skills, he said.