10 years & thousands of bikes: Bikes for Kids keeps the mid-Island rolling

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Since then, Nowik estimates he’s repaired and given away around 1,300 bikes, with an ambitious goal of providing 550 bikes this year alone.

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Donated bikes can be dropped off all year long at one of three DBL Disposal Services yards, including at 333 Tenth St. and 4145 Jingle Pot Rd. in Nanaimo, and at the Parksville location at 911 Church Rd.

“DBL graciously started working with us eight years ago and offered their three locations as drop-off points, and then they actually delivered them to Tenth St.,” Nowik said. “Then I pick them up every Friday or Monday, it depends on how many are there, with a truck or with a truck and trailer.”

Nowik said donated bikes often fill the entire DBL warehouse, with workers sorting out which bikes can be salvaged before being picked up by Nowik for repairs. (Image Credit: Submitted/Bikes For Kids)

Nowik and a group of dedicated volunteers spend Tuesdays fixing them up before delivery, with the majority going to School District 68.

The Cowichan Valley, Qualicum and Nicola-Similkameen school districts have also received bikes.

Nowik said none of this would be possible without the volunteers and community groups who regularly donate their time and supplies, including Canadian Tire, Mountain Equipment Co-op, and the Nanaimo Rotary Club.

They’re also working with the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society to keep kids safe when they ride.

“Any cash donations we get, we give to them, for the majority of the part, so that they can buy helmets for all of our kids.”

While the summer months are a bit slower once school is out of session, the demand for bikes for older teens and adults continues, with Nowik dropping off 16 bikes at Wellington Secondary School last week.

He’s providing 37 bikes of various sizes to the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society this week, with around 20-30 bikes provided to the organizers for newcomers every month for part of the year.

Nowik said they currently have plenty of 26-inch bikes for adults and smaller rides for little kids, but they’re lacking bikes aimed at kids between eight and 14 years old.

“We know that there are lots of people out there who have got kids’ bikes in their garages that they haven’t used anymore, and we’d love to get those 20 to 24 inch bikes, that’s what we’re really missing right now.”

More information on how to donate can be found on their website.

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