At a time when the Northeast Texas Bicycle Association usually has 300 bikes to give away to the needy, it has tallied 39 so far.

“Times are tough,” said Mike Connors, CEO of the Bonham-based nonprofit. “Let’s face it – there’s more unemployment now than there ever was in 12 years of our existence.”

There are three more opportunities to donate bikes and bike parts this year in Allen, starting with 4 to 5 p.m. today at the AllenCity Hall parking lot, 305 Century Parkway.

In order to give away bikes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Gary Edwards, park operations supervisor for the city of Allen, will collect bikes for the last time Nov. 13.

Edwards brought the initiative to the city last year after a chance meeting with Connors inspired him to get involved.

“I got interested and decided to help wherever I could,” Edwards said.

At the time, Connors was looking for 100 bikes to send to Galveston, after Hurricane Ike ravaged the city near Houston in September 2008.

Through e-mail and word of mouth, Edwards collected more than 130 bikes. Since then, Edwards has gathered and delivered more than 300 bikes for communities in three different states.

"If it wasn’t for the city of Allen and Mr. Edwards, we’d be in deep trouble,” Connors said.

Of the 61 bicycles and five scooters the organization gave away to children last month in Clovis, N.M., most came from Allen, he added.

Edwards said his collaboration with Connors has been eye-opening.
“You don’t realize how many people out there can’t afford to get their kids bikes – even used ones,” he said. “We’re always helping other countries but there’s a big need right here in the United States.”

Saerom Yoo is the editor of Allen neighborsgo and can be reached at 469-330-5685 or via e-mail at syoo@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video you'd like to share? Post them directly on neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to me directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

IF YOU GO
4 to 5 p.m. Friday
10 a.m. to noon Nov. 7
4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 13
Allen City Hall parking lot
305 Century Parkway