Kick The Training Wheels Off With These Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a bike for my child?
Virtually all of our bikes are given away through a network of non-profits, community organizations, churches and schools. The best way to get a bike is to contact one of these types of organizations in your neighborhood and ask if they are connected with FB4K. If not, ask them to consider getting involved with FB4K. Organizations can apply for bikes here.
Free Bikes 4 Kid trabaja con escuelas locales, organizaciones benéficas y agencias que identifican a los niños que nos necesitan. Puede comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo, el Consejo de Acción Comunitaria, una iglesia u otra organización benéfica para conectarse con nosotros e incluir a su hijo en nuestra lista.
How do I donate a bike?
Bikes can be dropped off at our refurbishing site. If you can donate $25 in addition to your bike, that will cover the cost for us to get your bike back in ‘good as new’ condition, plus the new helmet we’ll give away with the bike.
What kind of bikes is FB4K looking for?
Free Bikes 4 Kidz is looking for new or used bikes of any size (anything that has wheels that can be ridden, including striders, balance bikes, tricycles and three-wheeled scooters) suitable for local preschoolers to high schoolers. The best bikes are in good rideable condition and need minimal work in order to get them looking and running well, but we also accept bikes needing minor repairs (a flat tire, a broken pedal, brakes that don’t work…). We are not looking for bikes that are badly rusted, missing wheels, bent wheels, or basically in tough shape. We want to give away bikes that local kids will be proud of, that look good, and that are safe and fun to ride. Plus it is not safe to fix up severely damaged bikes.
Is FB4K a 501(c)(3) non-profit? Can I contribute financially to FB4K and help get more bikes to kids?
Yes. And yes. FB4K is a non-profit so your contribution is tax deductible. (You will receive a receipt from us for all contributions.) We gladly accept contributions of any size. We spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $25 to get each bike in tip top shape and to provide a helmet for its new rider, so your donation will help get more bikes to more kids. Visit our Financial Donations page where you will be able to make a donation online using PayPal, credit card, or an old-fashioned paper check.
I would like to volunteer my time to help. What can I do?
We need scores of volunteers to clean, repair, and help us give away hundreds of bikes each year. We love people who have mad bike repair skills, but if you don’t have that ability, we still desperately need you. If you can wash and shine a bike, we need you. If you can pump up tires we need you. If you can change tires and lube chains and hubs, we need you. If you can help us move, load, and unload bikes, we need you.
Here’s what you do. Go to the Volunteer page and register, starting in September. You can register as an individual, or you can register a whole group that you are bringing along with you. You can choose the day and the time slot, and you can tell us what your skill level is. We generally have drinks and snacks available for our volunteers…plus we throw a huge party after the dust clears in December and ALL volunteers are invited.
How does my non-profit, community organization, church, or school get on FB4K’s radar so that we can be recipients of bikes?
You can Apply 4 Bikes online and tell us about your organization—what you do, where you are located, your history, if you are a registered non-profit, etc. We will connect you with our Bike Recipient Coordinator, who is in charge of coordinating and facilitating this process. Past benefitting organizations must re-apply each year.
I don’t live in near a FB4K affiliate, but would like to start a Free Bikes 4 Kidz affiliate in my city. Can you help me do that?
Great question. Yes. Please get in touch with Terry Esau (terry@FB4K.org) our National Executive Director.
I work in the media and would like to help tell your story. Who should I contact?
Ted Cochran (ted@FB4Kmaryland.org) is our Director and he would be happy to talk with you or connect you with others in the organization. We believe we have a great success story that has only just begun. Thanks for helping us spread the word… “Good Wheel to All, and to All a Good Bike!”
Where can I find out more?
Our federal and state forms are at the bottom of this page. Our latest annual report is here.