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Give that old bike new life by giving it to kids

Donations for annual holiday giveaway being taken through Dec. 4 at Longmont’s six fire stations.
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Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

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For more than 20 years the city of Longmont has accepted children’s bicycles donations in preparation for the holiday season. This year is no different as each of the city’s six fire stations are receiving bikes with wheel sizes from 12- to 24-inches until Dec. 4. Flat tires are OK, but functional bikes are preferred.

“I took over the program from a local shop owner who decided to retire,” said Kris Kooiman, who is a board member for local nonprofit Bicycle Longmont. “I have a lot of support from the bike shops in town. The bikes come into the fire station. I'm not sure how it's going to work this year. In the past we’ve had volunteer groups come together at different bike shops to clean and fix the bikes. The YMCA is where we really do the giveaway.” 

Kooima stressed that having the donations in by Dec. 4 is important, so volunteers can have time to prepare bikes that have often seen better days.

“The hardest part is clearing out people's trash,” Kooiman said. “There is a percentage of bikes that have been sitting outside for five years and are just rusty and worthless. But you take the good with the bad. The buy-in from various organizations, businesses and even the city has been a nice reminder of the community that we do live in.”

Robin Ericson, Longmont Public Safety communications and marketing manager, has helped facilitate the bike donation program for several years. 

“I think people enjoy meeting with the firefighters and finding new homes for bikes that have been semi-loved,” Ericson said. “It is kind of cool because you do see a bike live it’s life through a kid that’s outgrown it, and then gives it to another kid who’s the same size. So the bike lives on.”

Kooiman said, “Some kids just don't have bicycles. That’s a shame because it's a very important part of their physical well-being, their mental well-being and that sense of independence you get when you ride off.”

The giveaway will occur on a Saturday in December, soon to be determined by the YMCA. Anyone who is interested in receiving a free bike for their child is encouraged to visit the Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA, 950 Lashley St., that day. No advanced sign-up for the giveaway will be required this year. 

Children also must be in attendance so they can find a bicycle that best fits them. Bilingual interpreters will be available to assist with any communication issues. The YMCA will monitor the door and allow family units to enter one at a time, in order to maintain proper social distancing. Longmont United Hospital also is collaborating by ensuring that every child is properly fitted with a helmet.