Every year since 2010, Swicked Cycles has collected bikes, refurbished them, and donated them to less fortunate kids.
You may wonder why we do this and think it’s good business or good promotion for the bike store, but you would be wrong.
This all came about because I was a lucky kid regarding bikes.
My Dad worked on a garbage truck in my hometown growing up. As much as that job didn’t afford me the latest and greatest of modern bicycles, it did allow my Dad to collect a bunch of bikes over the year and then create one solid good-working bike for me to rip around the neighbourhood with. When I outgrew that one, he’d start the process over.
We weren’t poor by any means. We had a nice home, were always dressed well, and I got to participate in a bunch of sports. But I never got the impression there was endless money to buy me brand-new fancy bikes. So, second-hand, pieced-together frankenbikes were the order of the day.
They were awesome rides that had no issue jumping, racing, and crashing, right along with my friends on their newer, fancier bikes.
I think back and remember how I got the bug for riding at such a young age and how it has positively affected my entire life. It was never about the latest and greatest until I was an adult... and decided on my own to make this my life.
When Chenoa and I started Swicked, our first order of business was to start the Bikes for Kids charity because we truly believe every kid needs a bike.
We’ve lost track now, but since its inception, we have collected, tuned, cleaned, and rebuilt well over 600 bikes that have gone back to our home community of Campbell River.
None of this could have happened without you. Your donation of bikes, parts, and cash for helmets, have all made this possible.
So, as we approach another Christmas season, we need your help once again.
If you have previously loved bikes in kid sizes that you are no longer using, please consider donating to Swicked Cycles and the Bikes for Kids program. If they're not in perfect condition, don’t worry, that’s what we do.
We are collecting bikes now up until Friday, November 9th.
You can drop bikes at Swicked during open hours (Monday to Friday 10-6, Saturday, 9-5).
Want to help, but don’t have a bike donation?
We accept cash donations and use these to purchase helmets for the kids.
Please help us get more kids on bikes. Take it from me, it’s a life changer.
I’m James Durand, and I’m Goin’ Ridin'
