Bike Bank Renfrew County is open again after giving away more than 100 bikes in 2021

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Bicycle Bank Renfrew County is open up once more, thanks to the Ottawa Valley Cycling and Energetic Transportation Alliance (OVCATA). In 2021, its 1st 12 months, a lot more than 100 folks in Renfrew County who could not afford to pay for bikes got reconditioned utilized types via this special service.

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Volunteers performing with Bike Lender Renfrew County collect utilized bikes, set them as a result of a mechanical and security checklist, and get them to persons who can use them. Final year, they had been just about overcome with donations and requests from the Ottawa location, but this yr, they’re earning it clear the service, operated by a several people on a limited spending budget, can acquire from or donate to people today domestically.

“The entire level is to empower anyone in Renfrew County who desires a bike, to have 1,” reported Pat Krose, OVCATA co-chairperson. “Young or aged, a bicyle can transform someone’s daily life. A bike can give you a sense of independence and liberty and make you much better, more healthy and happier. For the folks who need and want a bicycle but simply cannot afford just one, we hope Bike Financial institution Renfrew County will fill an critical have to have.”

OVCATA users acquire bikes from the OPP, people, bike merchants, squander sites and other resources and place them in doing work purchase for donation to any person who asks for a single.

People today who want a bicycle basically need to have to make contact with OVCATA, and volunteers will figure out what kind and dimension of bicycle is required and prepare for delivery. Initially, contact is remaining done through group businesses.

Bikes are stored at various areas about Renfrew County. Yantha’s Cycle in Pembroke arrived ahead to provide the Bicycle Bank’s initially storage locale, as perfectly as technological guidance and suggestions, and utilised pieces.

“Bike Lender Renfrew County succeeded last calendar year way over and above our expectation thanks to large community assistance and participation,” Krose mentioned.  “We put a whole lot of bikes into the palms of people today who desired and needed them, and the response from persons who obtained bikes was heartwarmingly optimistic.”

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OVCATA is inquiring for donations of bikes and for volunteers who can aid select up, mend, store and produce bikes.

Men and women can add way too by producing cash donations on the OVCATA web-site or by volunteering to perform with Bicycle Bank.

“Bike Lender Renfrew County value us additional than $2,500 very last yr, together with parts and insurance policy charges,” Krose explained. “That arrives to about $25 for every bike. But it was really worth it.”

Individuals seeking bikes can use an on the net software form  to support OVCATA obtain a bicycle that’s suitable for them. To donate a spare bicycle folks can fill out this form with their identify, location and data about the bike.