Bikes for Humanity Partners with The Street Trust to Donate Bikes

The children who arrived at Whitman Elementary were entirely undaunted by the torrential downpour pounding down and creating little lakes and streams just beyond our little shelter. The look on every child’s face was priceless as they walked down the row of 11 refurbished bikes to choose the one they would take home. Each had a sheepish grin, and a whole lot of excitement as they handpicked, test rode and outfitted their chosen bikes with a bell, light, and lock. The Street Trust’s Education Programs Director Jordan and Bike Safety Instructor Mike joined our director Andrew and intern Ana in connecting Safe Routes to School Bike Safety Education program students with bikes refurbished by Bikes for Humanity volunteers and staff. The Portland Safe Routes to School program run by Portland Bureau of Transportation saw many of these students go from not knowing how to ride—just weeks before!—to learning at their school and going on a community ride with their peers, teacher, and Street Trust volunteers and staff, to finally picking up a bike of their own along with a helmet, lock, and light.

This is a memory that will be hard to forget, seeing this four-way partnership between the City of Portland, Portland Public Schools, and two local non profits come to fruition and spread the simple joy of biking with nearly a dozen youngsters. Bikes for Humanity is honored to be able to support such an important opportunity, and be part of this web of community. We’re thrilled to have this venue for getting more bikes out into the community and spreading our mission of getting bikes to those who want them but might not have the means or know where to start.

Ready. Staged. Donated!

Bikes for Humanity’s fearless leader, Andrew goofing around.

Intern Ana, helping attach a fancy horn to a newly selected, and test ridden bike.