Free Bikes 4 Kidz is looking for used or outgrown bicycles in Northern New Mexico. Courtesy/FB4K
FB4K News:
Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) New Mexico, a local non-profit organization on a mission to provide bicycles to all individuals in New Mexico who wouldn’t otherwise have access to them, will host a series of fall Bike Donation Drives in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Los Alamos.
The first is happening 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 in Santa Fe.
The organization hopes to collect several hundred bikes of all styles and sizes.
Community members are encouraged to bring outgrown or used bikes, trikes and balance bikes to one of two Santa Fe locations:
- Century Bank, 1790 St Michael’s Drive; and
- Santa Fe Place Mall (inside, next to Boot Barn).
“Our dedicated team, along with numerous volunteers, will spend the next 2+ months refurbishing these bikes, ensuring they’re in top condition for their future owners,” Free Bikes 4 Kidz New Mexico said in a press release announcing the Fall Bike Donation Drive. “Throughout this fall and early winter, we’ll distribute them to underserved communities through our partnerships with schools, social service organization, and other youth serving nonprofit organizations.”
Can’t make it to the Santa Fe drive? Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association will accept bicycles Monsay-Friday during business hours through Oct. 6. In the Albuquerque area, donors can drop off at the new Fat Tire Cycles location in Corrales through November.
“Every contribution, whether a bike, a financial donation, or just volunteering a few hours of time helps us continue our work of spreading happiness and building childhood confidence through cycling,” they added.
Additional donation drop off dates are planned for Albuquerque Nov. 11 at Sport Systems, and in Los Alamos (date TBD).
A list of the organizations that have benefitted from prior years’ drives:
- Chainbreaker Collective;
- Catholic Charities Center for Refugee Support;
- Day of the Tread;
- El Camino Real Academy;
- Field Institute of Taos;
- Girls Inc;
- Native Health Initiative;
- NICA New Mexico;
- Nina Ortiz Elementary;
- Pueblo de Cochiti Community Health Program;
- Ramirez Thomas Elementary;
- Santa Fe Youthworks;
- Silver Stallion (Gallup);
- Story Riders; and
- Sweeney Elementary.
New Mexico is the 11th state to join a growing national movement called Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K). Since its founding in Minnesota in 2008, FB4K has given away more than 100,000 reconditioned bikes nationally. One weekend annually, volunteers collect hundreds of used bikes and repair them for children of families who would not otherwise be able to afford them. A free helmet is provided with every donated bike. Learn more about free Bikes 4 Kidz at www.fb4knm.org
For more information about FB4K or to schedule an interview, contact Matt Aranez, Executive Director: matt@fb4knm.org
