Who we are

Whitney Bennett is currently serving as a President of the Collective.

Kevin Bodkin loves bicycles, whether he’s riding a century on his road bike or coasting around Rogers Park on a Divvy. He finds that they’re a sustainable, equitable, and fun way to explore the world. He’s proud of the work everyone at The Recyclery is doing to foster community, remove some of the mystery behind bike mechanics, and help the environment.

Kevin hosts Wednesday volunteer hours, helps with several different committees, and plans fun events in and outside of the shop.

Carly Guerriero has been our Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator since we restarted operations in June 2021. She’s proud to be part of such a great community resource such as The Recyclery, and is excited to join at such a unique time. She knows the pandemic will teach us many valuable lessons and act as a portal towards justice, where cycling and transportation is not just a niche afterthought but a vital part of the conversation.

Gero is a cycle mechatronic technician from Berlin/Europe, who worked in the motorcycle industry before he saw the light and switched to working on bicycles. He loves all sorts of vehicles and the different ways they let us experience the world, but his lifelong love is that simple four-wheeled wooden toy also known as skateboard.

Gero is was very happy to be a staff mechanic at the Recyclery from 2021 to 2022.

Nina Hazelton –  Nina has been a mechanic at The Recyclery since 2018 and is happiest when she’s on her bike. She believes deeply in the power that bikes have to heal and transform people and communities. She’s got a real sweet tooth and when she’s not wrenching you can usually find her sharing meals with friends. Nina has joined the collective (the board) in August, 2020.

Peat Moss has been active in the collective since 2008 and hosts shop events, leads projects, and teaches classes.

Tzippora Rhodes  coordinates the Freecyclery program, runs youth programs, and also teaches our Tune Up Class as part of the staff. Tzippy is also a dedicated collective member of many years. When her bike got stolen one week after moving to Chicago in 2007, she got started fixing up old bikes, and hasn’t stopped since.

Kingston Smartt-Nalli is a staff program host for The Recyclery. Their interest in cycling ballooned when during their college years. They love repairing bikes, building wheels, and biking through the city.

Thistle is our official “bike wrangler”. They/he bop all around cook county picking up bike donations from individuals, partnering bike shops and organizations. Fun fact, Thistle is an Evanston native and first came across The Recyclery as a 17 year old lad when The Recyclery too was young and operating out of a building basement. Look for them in the fantastically painted Recyclery truck!