The Campus Bike Center, the Urbana Bike Project and the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center will host their annual bike giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 2-4 p.m. at the UC-IMC, located at 202 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 100.
The event provides free bikes to children ages 1 to 10 on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one bike per child. Children must be present to select their bikes.
The initiative launched in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to provide a safe way for kids to stay active outdoors while adhering to COVID-19 restrictions. It also encouraged the spirit of giving during the holiday season and was a source of joy for kids despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Jacob Benjamin, coordinator of the Campus Bike Center, shared the initial goals of the bike giveaway.
“The idea really came about as a low-cost way for (the Campus Bike Center) to give back to the community, especially at a time when people were really struggling,” Benjamin said. “We got around 40 bikes that first year, and it has been growing every year since.”
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To prioritize the children’s safety, the bikes are carefully inspected and repaired by members of the Campus Bike Center.
Nathanael Salazar, junior in Engineering and bike mechanic and instructor at the Campus Bike Center, explained the process of preparing bikes for the event.
“People come in and drop (the bikes) off,” Salazar said. “We then do very minor repairs to make sure that (the bikes) are functional for the kids.”
The bikes are more than just a mode of transportation — they’re a source of joy for the kids who receive them.
“The kids get to pick out the bikes themselves, which is definitely rewarding because these are bikes that the kids may not otherwise have access to,” Benjamin said. “The second we give (the bikes) away, kids are already riding around in the parking lot and having fun.”
Community members can support the effort by donating bikes of any size and condition. Donations are welcome at the Campus Bike Center and the Urbana Bike Project through Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. Those unable to drop off bikes can arrange pick-ups by calling 217-469-5126.
