BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Lehigh Valley group that pushes for mixed-transit and pedestrianism has launched an effort to get upwards of 200 restored bicycles into the hands of Lehigh Valley families this holiday season.
The Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, or CAT, is granting free bikes for children aged 5-12, aimed at families facing financial hardship, through Dec. 30 while supplies last.
Families who get a CAT-renewed bicycle also will get a new helmet, CAT bike smart certificate and an invitation to youth bike education events held by the nonprofit in the new year.
The organization is using volunteer labor to restore bikes donated to them throughout the year to like-new condition, outfitting them with needed tire, brake and other upgrades to be road-ready.
Last year, 156 bikes were rebuilt for the program by the volunteer mechanics at CAT's in-house bicycle co-op. This year, it's shooting for 200 bikes to be restored by a team of about 25 volunteers.
CAT Executive Director Scott Slingerland said that in the past six years of the program, more than 600 bikes have been distributed.
"Our purpose is to reach out and have the parents pick up bikes and give them to their kids as gifts for the holidays."CAT Executive Director Scott Slingerland
"Some people only come once, like a mother and daughter come in and help build a bike for somebody else, or parents bringing their kids or adults who are excited to jump in," Slingerland said.
"Our purpose is to reach out and have the parents pick up bikes and give them to their kids as gifts for the holidays."
CAT Board President Bill Meiklejohn noted the work it takes to bring the bikes back to prime condition with new parts and repairs.
"Each one takes about four to five hours," Meiklejohn said. "So we're looking at probably 800 to 1,000 hours worth of work."
Throughout the year, CAT does educational programs at schools and other community locations to teach bike safety, and provides information about finding routes and using the bikes for transportation.
Meiklejohn said families who get a bike from the nonprofit's holiday program will be invited to the sessions.
The nonprofit's website also provides a list of resources for local cyclists, including a list of local community organizations and laws related to cycling and pedestrianism in Pennsylvania.
A resource for young and old cyclists
The bicycle co-op operates out of CAT's location at 1935 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, and seeks to be a low-cost and safe location for people to come in and get bikes serviced year-round.
Slingerland said the effort to restore children's bikes takes focus at the workshop in November and December, when the volunteers rebuild bikes to make them as good as new.
Volunteer David Gottlieb said he appreciates the opportunity to volunteer for the project in his retirement, allowing him to really work with his "brain and his hands at the same time."
"We're giving back to people that really want bikes, and really want to work on bikes," Gottlieb said.
"Anyone can come in with no experience in fixing bikes or being a mechanic, and they can learn from somebody else," Meiklejohn said.
"Then when they have a skill, like if they learn how to fix a flat tire, then most likely within a week or two they're helping somebody else fix a flat tire."
"We just want to do some little thing to help them have a happy holidays for their kids."CAT Executive Director Scott Slingerland
Volunteers working on a recent day noted joy in being able to get the bikes into the hands of people that can benefit from them at no cost.
"Over time [the program] is growing, but also, when the families write to us, they tell us stories like what's going on their lives," Slingerland said.
"We just want to do some little thing to help them have a happy holidays for their kids."
To reserve a bike, Slingerland said to email cat@lvcat.org with the age, height and optionally the gender of their child.
Those at CAT note they always are seeking donations of funds, bicycles or parts to fuel their effort, as well as new volunteers for the co-op.
