Bikes For Tykes Still Needs Bikes

Every kid has a bicycle when he is growing up...right? Every kid should.  That is where Bikes For Tykes comes in, and right now they need your help. Saturday is the deadline for donating bikes and there are more requests than there are bikes.

For over 15 years Realities For Children has collected and distributed  bicycles to abused, neglected and at-risk children in Larimer County. Each year individuals, groups and organizations donate their new or used bicycles to Bikes For Tykes. They are safety-checked and refurbished by local bike shops. These bikes are given to kids who are being served by one of Realities for Children Charities’ eighteen affiliated youth agencies who serve abused children locally.

Bicycles and tricycles, in reasonable working condition, suitable for children between the ages of 3-17 years old, should be brought directly to one of the bicycle shops listed below.

• The Phoenix Cyclery- 1532 E. Mulberry, Suite D, Fort Collins 493.4517
• Lee’s Cyclery-202 W. Laurel, Fort Collins 482.6006
• Lee’s Cyclery-931 E. Harmony, Fort Collins 226.6006
• Breakaway Cycles-2237 W. Eisenhower, Loveland 663.1726
• Trek Bicycle Store of Loveland-4880 Thompson Parkway, Loveland 667.8735

At the bike distribution, each child is given a helmet to ensure safe riding. Bicycle mechanics will be on-hand to properly adjust seat height, select the correctly sized helmet, install training wheels and help the children pick out the "right" bike. Over a 100 volunteers join in the effort to help the youth select the right size of bike, fit helmets and assist with loading and setting-up the bikes.

This  year there is a record number of requests for bikes.  Especially during Christmas, no child should be forgotten. This is where you come in. You can drop off a bike at one of the locations above or you can make a donation to Bikes For Tykes.

Here is a short video to show shed a little light on what Bikes for Tykes is all about!