(1978-2025) Honoring a Friend, Volunteer, and Champion for Cyclists
The Greensboro community lost someone very special with the passing (August 23, 2025) of Merritt White – a true friend, a tireless volunteer, and a cornerstone of the city’s cycling world. For years, Merritt poured his time, skill, and heart into helping others ride safely and confidently, all while building the kind of connections that make our community stronger.
Many knew Merritt as the friendly face behind Recycles Bike Shop in College Hill – a place that was never just about fixing bikes. It was a gathering spot where everyone felt welcome, whether you were an experienced cyclist or just learning to ride. Merritt had a way of making people feel seen, teaching with patience, and always finding time for a good story or laugh while he worked.
His connection to the Downtown Greenway came naturally. Merritt believed in what the greenway stands for – bringing people together, encouraging movement, and caring for shared spaces. He volunteered at countless Downtown Greenway events, often rolling up on his motorcycle-turned-bike-repair-station, ready to lend a hand.
As Dabney Sanders, Downtown Greenway Project Manager, shared:
“Merritt White was a force of nature and a generous soul. On his motorcycle outfitted as a mobile bike fix-it station, he brought his passion and expertise for fixing bikes to Downtown Greenway events including Wheels on the Greenway for several years, and the ribbon cutting for our Tradition Cornerstone, Meeting Place. Merritt served on our bicycle advisory committee and was always my go-to person when I needed to connect with the local cycling community. Such a big loss.”
Those words capture what so many of us feel – that Merritt wasn’t just part of our cycling community, he was the connection point for so many of us. He brought people together, quietly and consistently, through kindness and generosity.
When Merritt faced illness, the community he helped build rallied right back around him – proof of the lasting impact of a life spent in service and friendship.
We will miss his laughter, his expertise, and the sight of him helping someone get back on the road with a freshly fixed bike and a bit of encouragement. But Merritt’s spirit is still here – in every wheel that turns on local streets and trails, in every volunteer who shows up to lend a hand, and in every small act of kindness that keeps our community rolling forward.
To Merritt’s family and loved ones, we extend our deepest sympathy and gratitude for sharing him with all of us. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide the cycling community of Greensboro for many miles to come.
