A group of Medicine Hat Rotarians known as Team FreeWheel is working to provide bikes to Hatters in need at no charge, by collecting, restoring and redistributing donated bicycles. As well as Rotarians, the group also consists of experienced bike mechanic Marco Jansen (pictured), who leads the team's restoration efforts.-- NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Winter weather isn’t stopping a group of Medicine Hat Rotarians as they continue with their mission of donating bikes to Hatters in need.
Team FreeWheel, a four-person Rotary Club of Medicine Hat working group, came together approximately two years ago and have gradually been increasing in capacity since.
“As the Rotary Club, we like to give back to the community and this is a project we can actually work at to give back to the community,” Rotarian and Team FreeWheel member Terry Cooper told the News. “So, what we do is we take donated bikes, and then we fix them up, refurbish them and then they go out to families in need and a whole list of organizations.
“When we started, we thought we’d just do a few bikes. Then all of a sudden, we’d done a few more bikes (than expected). And after a while we’d got lots of bikes.”
Originally, Cooper and his team members worked out of his backyard and garage, but such conditions limited their ability to work through the winter, reducing the overall number of bikes they were able to donate.
Now moved into a new location with ample storage space, the group is hopeful they will be able to increase their output.
“To date our club has distributed over 200 bikes to various organizations, such as Saamis Immigration, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Women’s Shelter, Redcliff Youth Centre, Miywasin Friendship Centre, Salvation Army,” said Cooper. “As well as to international students at Medicine Hat College and the Catholic school system (and) individuals in the community … We want to keep growing and doing this work.”
Cooper acknowledges the existence of similar programs in Medicine Hat, but says there’s no sense of competition between them. Rather he hopes the programs can work in tandem to ensure anyone in need of a bicycle can get one.
He does thank community members for the support they’ve shown Team FreeWheel’s program however, and encourages anyone interested in donating a used bike to consider contacting them via the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat’s Facebook page.
The team accepts bikes of all sizes, styles and conditions. Even bikes in poor condition can be used to supply parts to other bikes. And all materials unable to be used are recycled.
Cooper also encourages anyone in need of a bicycle to connect with Team FreeWheel.
