Bikes and trikes for everyone

Whether it’s pink with sparkles or a sleek blue racer, Krista Richard is on a mission to make sure every child experiences the simple joy of riding their very own bike.

The generous Canadian has run her Bikes and Trikes for Everyone program for the past 14 years, collecting donated bicycles and tricycles to repair with the help of a small volunteer team, and giving them away for free to families who otherwise couldn’t afford one.

It’s not just a few bikes here and there. Krista handed out 400+ bikes last year, with her overall total stretching into the thousands. More than 400 kids are currently on the program’s waiting list.

One of them was five-year-old Gracie Mae Brown, who recently got to choose her favorite ride from a lineup of 80+ bikes. According to her mother, the new bike has helped Gracie Mae reconnect with neighborhood friends after she outgrew her old bike and spent time stuck on the sidelines.

• And she isn’t alone: at least 50 kids in her neighborhood have received bikes through the program.
• “It helps them relieve stress and makes them behave better,” Gracie Mae’s mother said. “They’re getting fresh air. They’re getting exercise at the same time.”

The program has also expanded to include adult bikes for parents who want to make bike rides a regular family activity.

Krista believes that every kid should have a bike during the summer, just like she did growing up. And as long as she’s able, she plans to keep the wheels turning.