Area residents rush to donate bikes for kids
By: Roy Gault, Statesman Journal :: Salem bicyclists are rushing to the aid of a Portland cycling center that is trying to place 1,000 bicycles under the Christmas tree for underprivileged youngsters."I saw the story in the Statesman Journal and thought, 'Boy, this is just the perfect opportunity to collect some bikes here and get them to the Community Cycling Center,'" said James Santana, who will accept bikes at a Salem cyclocross race he is helping organize.
Bikes will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today at the race starting line at 2110 Strong Road NE, at Pringle Creek Community.
Santana describes cyclocross as "a high-endurance hybrid of mountain biking, hiking and mud slip-and-slide." Racers ride their bikes, and carry them when necessary, through obstacles that include mud and a variety of barriers.
"This is a really, really cool program. What an amazing organization," said Troy Munsell, an owner of Santiam Bicycle, who said his shop will become a permanent drop-off for bicycles.
Santiam Bicycle, 388 Commercial St. NE, is collecting bicycles for the drive and will continue to take bikes indefinitely from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Most donations are used bikes that volunteers for the Community Cycling Center of Portland refurbish, and as the holidays approach, the focus is on bikes for youngsters.
"Because of the calendar, the emphasis right now is on kids' bikes, but their flagship is their Create a Commuter Program, in which they help adults," Santana said. "It might be someone who just went bankrupt or someone just out of prison, but the idea is to provide a means of transportation so that they can hold a job and show up on time. It's for someone who is trying to start a new life. They get a free bike, free helmet and free lights so they're legal on the street."
Although bikes of any condition will be accepted, donated helmets must be new.
Santana and Munsell said they each are looking for someone with a pickup and a trailer who is willing to transport donated bicycles to the Community Cycling Center. Santana is hoping to deliver a shipment by Thursday. Munsell also would like to send a load before Christmas -- he and Santana may collaborate -- but Munsell said he's also seeking a volunteer who could deliver bikes two or three times a year.
"We're really excited to be part of the Holiday Bike Drive, and we hope people will come out to our cyclocross with all makes and models, even if they're missing parts," Santana said.
Bikes will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today at the race starting line at 2110 Strong Road NE, at Pringle Creek Community.
Santana describes cyclocross as "a high-endurance hybrid of mountain biking, hiking and mud slip-and-slide." Racers ride their bikes, and carry them when necessary, through obstacles that include mud and a variety of barriers.
"This is a really, really cool program. What an amazing organization," said Troy Munsell, an owner of Santiam Bicycle, who said his shop will become a permanent drop-off for bicycles.
Santiam Bicycle, 388 Commercial St. NE, is collecting bicycles for the drive and will continue to take bikes indefinitely from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Most donations are used bikes that volunteers for the Community Cycling Center of Portland refurbish, and as the holidays approach, the focus is on bikes for youngsters.
"Because of the calendar, the emphasis right now is on kids' bikes, but their flagship is their Create a Commuter Program, in which they help adults," Santana said. "It might be someone who just went bankrupt or someone just out of prison, but the idea is to provide a means of transportation so that they can hold a job and show up on time. It's for someone who is trying to start a new life. They get a free bike, free helmet and free lights so they're legal on the street."
Although bikes of any condition will be accepted, donated helmets must be new.
Santana and Munsell said they each are looking for someone with a pickup and a trailer who is willing to transport donated bicycles to the Community Cycling Center. Santana is hoping to deliver a shipment by Thursday. Munsell also would like to send a load before Christmas -- he and Santana may collaborate -- but Munsell said he's also seeking a volunteer who could deliver bikes two or three times a year.
"We're really excited to be part of the Holiday Bike Drive, and we hope people will come out to our cyclocross with all makes and models, even if they're missing parts," Santana said.
posted by Ryan Amirault at Monday, December 05, 2005
