14 years in Moncton, Krista Richard has been collecting donated bicycles and children’s tricycles, fixing them up and giving them away to families who cannot afford to buy one.
Richard collects bikes year-round and holds giveaways between April and October. The giveaways always take place on Sunday, and a small team of volunteers mostly helps collect donated bikes, but Richard does much of the rest herself.
Last year, about 400 children were on her waiting list. Among them were Younis and Aws, who put on their best Friday clothes and got their hair done for the day they would ride off with their first real bikes.
Richard told CBC News she has given away thousands of bikes and trikes over the years. She said getting children outside helps in ways that go beyond physical health.
“With all these video games, there’s no social contact and people don’t know who their neighbors are anymore,” Richard said. “But if you get a bunch of kids on their bike, then they get to know each other and then the families get to know each other, and I think the more time you spend outside the better.”
Richard has also started keeping adult bikes, so parents can ride with their children.
Read more from CBC.
