Free Bikes 4 Kidz Madison seeking bike donations on November 7

Madison, WI - Free Bikes 4 Kidz Madison has received more requests for bicycles in 2020 than ever before. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a bike boom because many people have more time to enjoy the outdoors. As a result, many are finding bicycling to be a great option since it’s a socially distanced activity. Executive Director, Kristie Goforth said, “We were able to give away 1,045 bikes in 2020 but we had requests of more than 2,500 bikes. While giving away over 1,000 bikes is a great start, we’ve barely scratched the surface of the need for bikes in Dane County. 

Our goal right now is to collect as many unused bikes in the area so we can refurbish them over the winter months and distribute them to nonprofits and schools next spring. We’ve already collected 500 bikes in September during Madison Bike Week and we hope to collect at least 500 more on Saturday, November 7.” 

Free Bikes 4 Kidz Madison is a nonprofit organization that works in the transportation equity space. The mission of the organization is to see that every kid that wants a bicycle in Dane County has one. Each year, the organization strives to give away 1,500 to low income and diverse populations throughout Dane County. Free Bikes 4 Kidz has set an even bigger goal for next year and hopes to give away 2,021 bikes in May and June of 2021.

The organization seeks gently used bicycles of all shapes and sizes in the fall and winter then refurbishes them with the help of paid mechanics and volunteers for distribution in the spring. On Saturday, November 7, nine organizations throughout the area will host bike donation stations. Bikes can be dropped off at any of these locations between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. in a safe and contactless method. 

Forward Madison FC at Breese Stevens Field - 917 E. Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703

JLA Architects - 800 W. Broadway, Monona, WI 53713

Delta Beer Lab - 167 E. Badger Road, Madison, WI 53713

The Thirsty Goat - 3040 Cahill Main, Fitchburg, WI 53711 

First Weber Realtors-West Towne - 429 Gammon Place, Madison, WI 53719

Country Financial - 1777 W. Main Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590

Monona Fire Department - 1011 Nichols Road, Monona, WI 53716

Oregon Police Department - 383 Park Street, Oregon, WI 53575 

Verona Fire Department - 101 Lincoln Street, Verona, WI 53593 

“So many amazing things come from a kid owning a bike. It helps build self confidence, independence, establishes healthy habits early on and creates positive lifelong memories. While we can’t do this without donations of bikes, we also need financial support so we can buy parts and pay mechanics to repair them. We have an incredible bike infrastructure here in Dane County and we hope that everyone has the opportunity to experience it,” Goforth noted. We have really been struggling with fundraising this year due to the pandemic so if people would like to make a financial donation that is the best thing we can receive in addition to bikes.” Donations can be made online at FB4KMadison.org or they can be mailed to PO Box 6594, Madison, WI 53716. 

More information can be found at: https://fb4kmadison.org/pedaling-news/fb4k-november7-2020-bikedonations

Free Bikes 4 Kidz Madison is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that has existed since its first bike giveaway in 2017. To date, over 4,700 bikes have been given away to community partners (nonprofits and schools) who are already serving area youth. The organization depends solely on financial and bike donations to make its work possible. 

Media inquiries should contact Executive Director, Kristie Goforth, at [email protected] or call 608-444-8641 for interviews and TV appearances. 

Kristie Goforth (formerly Kristie Schilling),Executive Director

Have a bike to donate? Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 7th!