One of our strongest and most popular programs over the years has been
always offering free kids bikes. For age 10 and under we require no class
nor service time (older than 10 and we have various earn-a-bike programs).
We do not charge, the bike is theirs to keep, and the family will come
back year after year and swap to a larger size. We always have a large
stock to choose from. We have more ready to go kid bikes in 'kid alley'
and over flow kid bikes in 'kid corner'.
Many yet not all families donate into our shop jar. While we strive to
have some kid bikes close to 'ride out the door' we want the kid (and
parent) to finish off the bike with air, oil and some adjustments. We
work together to make that happen.
We have found that this type of program brings in financial donations in
many other ways, from general appeals to events to small local grants.
Other tidbits: we tend to remove hand brakes (unless in stellar condition)
if the bike (most) has a coaster brake. we esp. look for anything sharp
or broken to get off the bike, like remnants of a bell, reflector, chain
guard.
we help more with families that are struggling with the mechanical
aspects, and remain more hands-off if it is say a parent/child wanting the
building/bonding experience. if a parent ends up working on the bike
without the child, we try to entice the child to help sort nuts and bolts,
or draw a bike for the shop wall. we discourage training wheels yet help
get them on if a parent insists. we make our own striders, looking for
kid bikes that have low step thru frame and already have a drivetrain
failure.
it's honestly one of the most rewarding aspects of the community bicycle
shop, here in Missoula.
--
Bob Giordano, Director
Free Cycles Missoula
Shop: 732 S. 1st St. West, ph. 541.7284
10AM-6PM Tues-Sat, www.freecycles.org
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation
www.strans.org, mist@strans.org, 406.830.7676
> On Monday, February 20, 2017, 3:27 PM, Aida Mas Baghaie
> <aida.masb@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hey bike friends,
> We're starting a kids bike library/exchange in Vancouver, BC, where kids
> can borrow a bike until they grow out of it and then swap it for one their
> size. I've heard of a few different models for doing this, from kids bike
> swaps at events to shorter-term loans from library branches. Anyone run a
> program like this? If you do, please tell me about the useful things
> you've learned by answering these questions:
> - what kind of program do you run? (i.e. kids bike swaps at events,
> physical library, through earn-a-bike)
> - how many bikes do you distribute/swap? do you charge anything for
> them?
> - how is the program funded?
> - do you provide accessories (helmets, locks & lights) with the bikes?
> if so, where do you get them from?
> - any suggestions or words of wisdom for someone starting a kids bike
> library/swap program?
> If you'd rather chat on the phone, just lemme know and I'll give you a
> call.
> thanks y'all!
> yaay more kids on bikes. <3 :D
> aida
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