(PHOTOS) Free Bikes 4 Kidz Spreads the Love of Biking

Three years ago, a west metro cycling club decided to give away free bikes to children.

In the span of a couple weeks, the dozen or so members of the G-force Riders collected bikes, repaired them and gave away about 350 to Twin Cities children. Free Bikes 4 Kidz, the nonprofit that arose from their efforts, gave away 750 bikes the next year and 1,500 the year after.

2011 looks to be the biggest year yet. The organization has a donated 120,600-square-warehouse on Hopkins’ 11th Avenue filled with nearly 4,000 bikes, said Adrian Kearney, an Orono resident who helped launch the project. It has seven other work sites across the metro. All told, Free Bikes 4 Kidz expects to give away about 5,000 bikes this year—making it the largest distributor of free bikes in the country.

A project that started with one bike club is now an effort that involves hundreds of volunteers. Boy Scout troops, school children and church groups all chip in. This Saturday alone, Kearney expects to have 40 people working at the Hopkins site.

G-force recruited major sponsors to come on board. Allina Hospitals and Clinics collected bikes at 55 of its locations and is donating 5,000 helmets. St. Paul-based Park Tool donated bike stands, tools and other equipment. Bloomington-based Quality Bicycle Products donated tires, inner tubes and other parts.

Such help is needed because of the project’s immense scope. Getting bikes to kids is a three part process. The organization must first collect all the bikes and deliver them to the work sites.

The bikes then have to be cleaned up and repaired. Volunteers pressure wash them. Those who are more mechanically inclined will then put the bikes in good working order. During a visit to the Hopkins warehouse Wednesday, volunteers were replacing brake pads, tightening cables and putting on new tires.

The bikes emerge looking brand new and ready to be handed over to children at one of the giveaway sites.

Giving away bikes may involve substantial amounts of work, but Kearney couldn’t be any happier with the way it’s going.

“We’re a biking, cycling group that really likes riding,” said Kearney. “We’re looking to get kids on bikes to give them the feeling we have on bikes.”

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Would you like to volunteer?

Free Bikes 4 Kids is always looking for volunteers to refurbish and repair bikes. It is in particular need of people with the mechanical ability who can work on the bikes. Contact the following locations if you’re interested in volunteering.

Hopkins

• Location: 415 11th Ave. S.
• Contact: Adrian Kearney, 952-393-4112
• Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Maplewood

• Location: 2250 White Bear Ave.
• Contact: Alicia Cameron, 612-594-6226
• Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Midtown (South Minneapolis)

• Location: 2834 10th Ave. S., Minneapolis (Minneapolis Greenway)
• Contact: Alicia Cameron-612-594-6226
• Hours:  Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Penn Cycle

• Five locations: 
  • Minnetonka: 10750 Cedar Bend, (952) 593-5030
  • Minneapolis: 710 W Lake Street, (612) 822-2228
  • Bloomington: 3916 W. Old Shakopee Road, (952) 888-1427
  • Woodbury:  6415 Lake Road Terrace, (651) 731-9458
  • Eagan: 2290 Cliff Road, (651) 882-1241
• Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.)