Free Bikes 4 Kidz

Riding a bike is one of the great joys of childhood. It's fun, it's a practical lesson in responsibility, it's a mode of transportation and it's a lifelong tool for maintaining health. It's a rite of passage. Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) wants every child to have this experience no matter what their family circumstance or socio-economic background. FB4K exists to give low-income families and children bikes by collecting, refurbishing and distributing used bikes to kids in need. We give youth a reason to exercise and improve their physical and mental health while experiencing that slice of childhood joy and freedom. Free Bikes 4 Kidz began with a love of cycling. Terry Esau's cycling group was approached by a family who was struggling financially and wanted to give one of their children a bike. The family wondered if anyone had an old bike they would be willing to donate. The cycling group was able to give the child a bike and they realized there are millions of unused bikes in people's garages that could be refurbished and given to a child in need. In 2008, the group collected, refurbished and gave away 300 bikes; in it's 2nd year - 750 bikes; it's 3rd - 1,500 bikes. Each year since, over 5,000 bikes have been distributed annually - totaling over 32,000 bikes in the past 8 years. To facilitate this, FB4K works with over 150 social service and nonprofit civic organizations to distribute donated bicycles. These agencies identify deserving youth who are then carefully matched with a properly fitted bike and helmet. It takes two months, 40,000 square feet and over 2,000 volunteers to help collect, clean, refurbish and repair each bike. Their hard work culminates in a final Bike Give Away weekend, where, after having been carefully inspected and quality controlled - each bike is matched with a happy rider. Free Bikes 4 Kidz represents the largest bike give-away program in the US. and occupies an important and under served segment of service to the low-income population. Currently, two FB4K affiliates have started in Salt Lake City, Utah and Atlanta, Georgia.