From safety to supplies, bike-focused service has proven popular and effective around the world.
By Tony Knoderer
No matter where you are, two things always seem to go together: children and bicycles. For Kiwanis clubs, that makes service projects that focus on bikes a great way to serve kids — and to make your mark in the community. Looking for ideas and inspiration? In recent years, these projects and programs have helped clubs around the world reach kids.
- Iceland-to-Canada bike helmet giveaway. Thanks to Kiwanians’ collaboration, more kids get bicycle helmets in a small Canadian town.
- A center for safety, education and more. The Kiwanis Bike Program started as a club giveaway program in Sparks, Nevada, U.S., but it has become much more over the years.
- Bike rodeo safety fair. As one of the recent grant recipients from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, a club in Colorado, U.S., is expanding its Bike Rodeo Safety Fair into a new community.
- Refurbished bikes and scooters for kids. In Belgium, club members did service and tune-ups — and then donated them to schools and other local institutions.
- Bikes and safety equipment for at-risk kids. In California, U.S., a club program provides bikes, helmets and locks so at-risk youth can get where they need to go.
These are just a few of the ways Kiwanis clubs are reaching kids by focusing on bicycles. How does your club make a difference through bike-related initiatives?