FB4K NEWS RELEASE
New Mexico residents are invited to donate outgrown child and adult bikes during Free Bikes 4 Kidz’ (FB4K) annual collection weekend to be held Sept. 9-11 This is the second year of the non-profit’s operation in New Mexico, which gave away 1,100 bikes in 2021.
During the 9 weeks following the bike drive, volunteers clean and repair the donated bikes so they can be placed with families experiencing financial hardship.
Free Bikes 4 Kidz doesn’t actually distribute the bikes, instead relying on 20+ partner organizations around New Mexico. FB4K has established relationships with a diverse network of public schools, afterschool programs, advocacy groups, native health organizations, and crisis centers. Presenting sponsor UPS also plays a key role in the collection and transportation of the bikes.
“It’s often a hassle for parents of growing kids to list an outgrown bike on Craigslist or to make necessary minor repairs so it can be passed on” says Bill Lane, a board member, “Free Bikes 4 Kidz solves two problems, keeping bicycles out of landfills and putting more kids on bikes.”
And then of course, there are the health benefits: in the US, less than 20% of children meet physical activity guidelines,15 million suffer from obesity and diabetes. Socio-economic disparities exacerbate these conditions. FB4K is out to change the outcomes. “We want to give every kid the chance to experience the independence and self-confidence that comes with owning a bicycle.”
Drop-off locations:
LOS ALAMOS – Sept. 9 &10
IHM Catholic Church Parish Hall
Friday, Sept. 9 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hundreds of volunteers will be needed to hit this year’s 1500 bike goal. Interested parties can email volunteer@fb4knm.org to help with collection days, cleaning, or repair.
About FB4K.: New Mexico is the 11th state to join a national growing movement called Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K.) Since its founding in Minnesota in 2008, FB4K has given away more than 100,000 refurbished bikes nationally. In most cities, the model is the same: one weekend a year, volunteers collect hundreds of used bikes and over the next two months will refurbish the salvageable ones.