August 25, 2021 — FORT COLLINS, CO – As it set out to do last year, Bike Fort Collins again, in partnership with its peer Wish For Wheels, has a goal to bring a new bike and helmet to every second-grader in each of Poudre School District’s six Title 1 schools this fall. And, the community’s support is needed to make it happen. Each bike, which can last each second-grader for up to 3-years of use, has a program cost of $150 and can be funded individually, or in groups of 10 or more. Funding 25 bikes enables an individual, business or organization to sponsor an entire second grade class, while a 65 bike commitment funds an entire school.
The two nonprofits, in conjunction with the continued support of the two program launch sponsors, YourGroupRide.com and VeloFix Mobile Bike Shop are seeking partners to help fund, and deliver 400 bikes and helmets so every second-grader at Bauder, Irish, Harris, Laurel, Linton and Putnam Elementary Schools can each receive a bike (which includes a bike and helmet set). Following an build event on October 10th at New Belgium Brewing’s Liquid Center where business sponsors will have the opportunity to take part in assembling the bikes and readying them for delivery to the schools, Bike Fort Collins will coordinate delivery dates for each of the schools with PSD. Parents of second-graders at these identified schools who don’t need a bike will be able to opt-out and the two nonprofits will be working with PSD’s Department of Language, Culture and Equity to ensure such bikes get to students in need at other schools within the district.
In addition to business sponsorship support, last year through YourGroupRide.com’s leadership, a Team Challenge was held among area bike teams and clubs to see who could fund the most bikes on a per capita basis. A close race ensued between First City Cycling Team and Team B.O.B., with Team B.O.B. ultimately earning top honors. The same challenge is happening again this year. “It was great to see the bicycle community unite around Wish for Wheels FoCo last year, and support the next generation of bicyclists. Many of us started at a young age and can remember that first bike that ignited our passion. We’re excited to bring this program back a second year and hopefully make it an annual event,” said Dan Porter of YourGroupRide.com.
“Many of us started at a young age and can remember that first bike that ignited our passion. We’re excited to bring this program back a second year and hopefully make it an annual event.”
“This program was so well received in its inaugural year, by the community, the schools and, of course, the students, we are excited to bring it back for a second year. Bicycling continues to boom within communities across the country and providing bikes to those who don’t have access to one helps to enable it, and very much aligns with both, the Bike Fort Collins and Wish for Wheels missions,” added Dave Dixon of Bike Fort Collins. “We especially look forward to getting these bikes to kids and then watching them bring the bikes back for the Safe Routes to School programming and instruction that Bike Fort Collins conducts in conjunction with the schools throughout the year,” Dixon continued.
Businesses interested in funding bikes should contact Dave Dixon. The broader community can also support individually by funding bikes at www.bikefortcollins.org/wish-for-wheels-foco. And, to help incent more individual funding, program launch sponsor, VeloFix Mobile Bike Shop is matching the first $5,000 of funds received from individuals.
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About Bike Fort Collins
Located in one of the most bike friendly cities in the country, Bike Fort Collins (BFC) is a growing bicycle advocacy and active transportation 501(c)(3), delivering on four primary programs, as well as a number of other advocacy initiatives and events. These primary programs include: Safe Routes to School (a partnership with the City of Fort Collins to deliver bike safety education to Poudre School District students), the Bicycle Friendly Business Network, support of Fort Collins Bike Share program, and its Active Living initiative to promote inclusion and access to active transportation in marginalized and distressed communities in Northern Colorado. To learn more, visit www.bikefortcollins.org, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
About Wish For Wheels
Based in Denver, Wish for Wheels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that gives brand new bicycles and helmets to second-graders in low income, Title 1 schools. Founded in 2004, their first giveaway made it clear that the bikes bring health and happiness into kids’ lives. Their unique model bundles corporate philanthropy, team building, and employee engagements through bike build/assembly events, to deliver brand new bikes and helmets to second-graders in the community. To learn more, visit www.wishforwheels.org.
About YourGroupRide.com
YourGroupRide.com (aka YGR) is a cycling news website based in Fort Collins, CO that unites the Northern Colorado cycling scene by keeping riders informed about the latest news, rides, races and other events. YGR conducts local rider interviews, local cyclist bike reviews and other features such as 10 Tracks and Gear Reviews. Behind the scenes, they work with Bike Fort Collins, Overland Mountain Bike Association and FC Moves/FC Bikes on advocacy initiatives to make Fort Collins an even better and safer place to ride. With the support of local businesses, they’ve been covering the NoCo cycling scene since 2009. Visit www.yourgroupride.com, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
About VeloFix Mobile Bike Shop
Velofix is a premium, full-service mobile bike shop that comes directly to your home or workplace to service your bike out of their customized and stocked Mercedes Sprinter vans. Their highly-skilled mechanics love working with bicyclists of all experience levels, from beginners to longtime enthusiasts and even multiple-time world champions. They love being involved in our community and believe that building personal relationships with their clients helps them to provide not only an exceptional experience, but also the best possible service for their bikes. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit www.velofix.com, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.