Kids Bike Exchanges
Posted on by rmniemela
Thanks to everyone who helped out with our last kids bike exchange!
The last exchange took place on June 15, 2019, and we would like to thank the community for their generosity. A huge thanks as well to all of the volunteers who helped to make this happen. We gave out 86 bikes to the children of our community.
We now have approximately 75 bikes that were donated at the exchange and from emails and telephone calls from the public. We need to get these repaired before we can accept any more bikes. Once we are ready to have another exchange, we will promote it through social media and this website.
If anyone is interested in helping to repair these bikes, please contact us to join our team of volunteer bike mechanics. The sooner we get the bikes repaired, the sooner we can give them out to more children!
To get more information on this great program or to volunteer, please contact the Rainbow Routes Association at 705-674-4455 ext 4535, or send an email to [email protected]
The Kids Bike Exchanges partners are the City of Greater Sudbury, Public Health Sudbury & Districts, Rainbow Routes Association, and Bike Sudbury. We also get support from our local bike shops, local businesses, and many individuals who volunteer to keep this great program going!
Additional Information
What is the Kids Bike Exchange?
The Kids Bike Exchange program has been running in Greater Sudbury since 2012. Bicycles used for the exchange are donated by members of the community. Volunteers conduct a safety inspection, make minor repairs, and equip them with a new bell and reflective tape. Bikes are then distributed on scheduled bike exchange dates to children and youth 18 years and younger.
From 2012 to 2018, 559 bikes were refurbished and provided to the children and youth of Greater Sudbury.
How does the exchange work?
Children can trade in their outgrown bike for a gently used one of the correct size. Children will also receive a helmet if they do not currently own one that fits.
Families who do not have bicycles to trade in may receive a bike by making a token donation to help support the project.
Bicycles and helmets are provided on a first come first serve basis, and sizes and quantities may vary.
I have a children’s bike to donate, how do I get it to you?
During the bike exchanges: Bring your bike to the exchanges. We will accept gently used bikes, and repair them for the next exchange.
2019 bike dropoffs or pickups: We are not accepting donated bikes at this time, as we are at capacity with the bikes that we need to work on for our next exchange.
I would like to volunteer!
Bike exchanges are run with the help of volunteers.
You can help to help repair bikes:
- Inspect bikes for safety and make minor adjustments
- Clean bikes
- Add bells and reflective tape
During the bike exchange events, you can help to:
- Register bikes as they are donated
- Distribute helmets to kids in need
- Match children with the right bikes for them
- Distribute waiver forms and surveys
Contact us if you want to help!