Bikes for Kids Program
The Bikes for Kids program is a collaboration between the Long Beach Velo Allegro Cycling Club and the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, who strive to provide bikes to third grade students attending underserved schools in Long Beach. Eligible schools have over 50% of students on financial assistance programs. The Bikes for Kids program is essentially divided into four special events; an essay contest, a bike build, a bike giveaway assembly, and a bike fitting.
Each year, the program kicks off with an essay contest to all third-grade students attending the selected school. In order to be eligible to receive a bike (includes a helmet and lock), students must write an essay that describes how a bike would help them make their community a better place. Velo Allegro, YMCA and volunteers build over 150 bikes in preparation for the assembly.
During the bike giveaway assembly, the essay contest winners are revealed and are presented with their new bike. What students don't know is that not only do the essay contest winners receive a bike, everyone gets a bike!
