Earn a free bike in Scottsdale – really!

I bought my first bike when I was six. 

(Yes, my parents made me pay half, taking me to the bank to withdraw from my savings, and then walking me across the street to buy my beloved Schwinn bicycle.)

That bike was my freedom.  My mom didn’t learn to drive until I was in 3rd or 4th grade, so my bike was a way to get to around, cruise with friends, or just plain relax.

I still use my bike as an escape – it’s instant R&R for me.

A few weeks ago, my 17 year old son Matt, was harping on me to get him into driver’s training so he could buy a car and drive.  Bear in mind, that Matt has a few challenges, that include attention, motor skilling planning, and autism. As any quick-thinking mother would do, I began to come up with the most positive reasons I could for delaying Driver’s Ed. Finally, I concluded with something like, “you haven’t learned how to ride a bike yet, and you have to learn how to do that before you can drive a car.”

Ten minutes later, I see this kid on my bike riding down the road. Wobbly, scaring me to death, but really riding a bike.  It was AMAZING!

You see, we’d bought bikes and worked with Matt over the years, trying to teach him how to ride, but it just wasn’t his time.  His occupation therapist told me to get over it, that he may never ride.

In the past couple weeks since he’s mastered bike riding, I’ve watch my kiddo turn into a more confident, independent young man.  He jumps on his bike in the morning and goes for a spin.  He links up with neighbors who are out biking.  He rides to his summer program. We ride as a family on weekends again.  One day, he even ran back into the house to grab a camera, because he thought the sunrise was so beautiful.  (Sigh……)

I offered my bike to Matt, which he used until my brother gave him an old beach cruiser.  With a little help, Matt put on white walls, re-painted it flat black, put a few flames on it, and claimed it as his own.

In the process of watching Matt’s evolution, I decided to upgrade to a mountain bike, and we dropped my old one off at the City of Scottsdale’s Handlebar Helpers shop at the Paiute Neighborhood Center.  This is a great program, and way for every kid (young and old) to get a bike.

Residents can earn a free bike by contributing just 20 hours of volunteer time through the city’s Handlebar Helpers program.  The program is open to both children and adults, who can volunteer at local schools, non-profit agencies or city locations. 

Openings now exist in the Handlebar Helpers apprentice program, for youth 12 to 17 years of age. Participants work on their own bicycle once each week; while learning how to repair and recondition bicycles under the tutelage of skilled volunteers.

Adult volunteers with technical bike repair experience are also needed to assist in supervising and teaching apprentices.  

To participate in the Handlebar Helpers programs, fill out an “earn a bike” enrollment form at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/assistance/handlebar.  To receive an application through the mail or for more information, call (480) 312-2771.

To view the kind of bikes available through the program, visit the Handlebar Helpers shop on the west side of the Paiute Neighborhood Center, 6535 E. Osborn Road.

Shop hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

I think bicycling is an enjoyable, green way to get around, good for the heart, and great therapy for the soul.

The City of Scottsdale has put getting a bike within anyone’s reach. So, if you have extra bike sitting around, please donate it.  If your know someone who needs a bike, to get to work, school, or play, please let them know about this program.

It really could change someone’s life!