[TheThinkTank] giving away free bikes?

[Bob Giordano]

I'm curious what other community programs are doing (can't get to bike
bike this year)...

We give away a free bike (not complete) after someone volunteers 2 hours
and takes a 'bikewell class' (covers safety, laws and repair).  We got a
$10,000 city grant for helping low and moderate income people, and they
really liked the emphasis on creating bike commuters, not just giving away
free bikes.  For 9 years we ran the shop like a festival- people filled
the shop everyday and built bikes and rode them away (over 3,000).  This
change we made has worked well- it has created just enough structure
without losing the grass roots feeling.

Who else does a program like this?  (I'd happily send anyone the grant we
filled out- I think most cities have funding like this.  Though I think
it's best to minimize any govt funding.)  -Bob g.

-- 
Bob Giordano
Free Cycles Missoula
Shop: 732 S. 1st St. West, 541.7284
3PM-7PM Mon,Tues,Thurs & 11AM-3PM Sat
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation
www.strans.org, mist at strans.org, 406-880-6834