Lost and stolen bikes from Okotoks are giving at-risk youths in Calgary a chance to learn valuable life skills, and the organization behind the initiative is looking to extend the program into communities like Okotoks.
Unclaimed bikes recovered by Okotoks Municipal Enforcement (OME) and RCMP will be provided to the Calgary chapter of the organization Two Wheel View. The organization works with at-risk youths in Calgary, teaching them how to repair and maintain the bikes.
Laura Istead, program and volunteer co-ordinator, said they expect to receive 30 bikes from Okotoks for the program.
The bikes are then used to help Calgary youth learn leadership and teamwork skills.
“It’s a really great opportunity for kids to get involved in after school activities,” said Istead. “We’re seeing a lot of success in our youth.”
The youths spend between eight to 10 weeks in the program and once it’s done they get to keep the bike they worked on along with a lock and helmet.
Not only do they learn the basics of cleaning and greasing the chain and gears, but Istead said some will learn difficult and more in-depth tasks such as truing rims and taking apart head sets and repairing bottom brackets.
The program has been in existence in Calgary for four years and she said she hopes to branch out to communities outside Calgary such as Okotoks.
“We’re looking at having our model used in other centres,” said Istead.
Anyone interested in more about the program can call Istead at 403-880-3111.
Okotoks Municipal Enforcement officer Stefanie Wainman said the program provides youths with a positive environment to learn new skills.
“It’s somewhere the kids can come after school and learn life skills and work towards a goal,” she said.
The bikes will be leaving the community she said because OME doesn’t want to risk the possibility of confrontations. There is a concern of the possibility an Okotoks youth could find someone who received a bike after participating in the program and claim the bike was theirs.
OME also gives unclaimed bikes to a charity, World Alliance Relief Mission, which refurbishes them and sends the bikes to developing countries for people to use for transportation.
Wainman said OME and RCMP can see between 60 and 100 bikes in a year. She said the bikes are usually in good condition, but may need a little bit of work such as greasing the chain or tightening the brakes.
She said they hold on to the bikes for at least three months before passing them on to the organizations.
“We usually do a purge in the spring and we do another purge in the fall before the snow flies,” said Wainman.
She said anyone who finds a bike can contact OME at 403-938-8913 to turn them in.
For more information on Two Wheel View visit www.twowheelview.org.
