Strider Benston is a well-known figure in Longmont. When his bike was recently stolen, a generous Longmont resident stepped in to help.
Benston is a human rights activist, a poet, a former endurance runner and a bicyclist. In fact, he only uses his bicycle to get where he needs to go.
In Fall 2022, Benston, now in his late 70s, purchased an E-bike. Three weeks ago, the bike was stolen after he attended church in Boulder.
“That was his transportation, his freedom, his way of getting groceries and of getting everywhere that he goes,” said Lauren Greenfield, a concerned resident and fellow cyclist.
Much like Benston, Greenfield uses her bike as her main source of transportation year-round no matter if it is snowing, raining, windy or in the heat or cold.
Greenfield empathizes with Benston as she too had a bike stolen from her in 1992, shortly after moving to Colorado.
“It is such a devastating violation of theft, personal space and freedom. When that one bicycle is your transportation and freedom, as well as your physical and mental health, it makes that violation exponentially worse,” Greenfield said.
While Greenfield does not know Benston well, she knows him well enough to say that he is a good person and is well-known in the community.
Benston’s story inspired her to begin a gofundme page to raise $3,500 to replace Benston’s bike. The funds will go to purchase a new step thru E-Bike from Small Planet along with a good lock, Greenfield said. She plans also to purchase lights and a rack that will aid in year-round commuting. Greenfield said any extra money will be donated to Benston for ongoing bike maintenance or for a bag that is specific to the bike he will receive.
As of publication, Greenfield had raised $100 toward a new bike purchase.
“Strider is used to riding a bike everywhere and has been for years, and year round. It's his freedom, and that was taken when his bike was stolen,” Greenfield said.
