In Moncton, five-year-old Gracie Mae Brown selected a bright pink bicycle from Krista Richard’s garage last Sunday. Richard, who has been operating the Bikes and Trikes for Everyone program for 14 years, gathers donated bikes year-round to fix and give away during the free annual events held from April to October.
Brown, who was among over 400 children on the program’s waitlist, had the opportunity to choose her favorite bike from a selection of more than 80 options. Her mother, Natasha Lewis, mentioned that Brown immediately fell in love with the bike and has been enjoying rides with her family every evening since.
Lewis added that the new bike has helped Brown feel more included with her neighborhood friends, enabling her to join them for rides. Approximately 50 kids from Brown’s area have already received bikes through Richard’s program, contributing to stress relief, improved behavior, fresh air, and exercise, according to Lewis.
Richard has distributed thousands of bikes over the years, with over 400 given away just last year. She noted that this year, she set a personal record by giving out 88 bikes in a single day. Richard shared a heartwarming story about a boy who was so enamored with his bike that he didn’t want to leave, continuously praising her for the initiative.
Expressing her desire for every child to experience a summer filled with biking like she did in her youth, Richard emphasized the importance of outdoor activities over screen time for fostering social connections among kids and families. With a dedicated team of volunteers assisting in bike collection and repairs, Richard ensures that kids on the waitlist have the chance to select their bikes on Sundays.
In addition to the children’s bikes, Richard has now started keeping adult bikes for parents who wish to ride alongside their kids. She remains committed to continuing the program for as long as possible, driven by the happiness and smiles of the children benefiting from the initiative.
The program aims to promote outdoor play, social interaction, and community bonding, bringing neighbors closer together through the joy of cycling.
