A kid without a bicycle is almost like a kid without air, says local cycling enthusiast John French.
To ensure children aren't deprived of basic necessities of recreation, French has launched Recycle Bicycle, where used bikes are fixed up and distributed to under privileged youth.
He launched the program Dec. 1, with an eye toward helping less fortunate community members.
"Just within the last few years there has been increased awareness in Squamish about homelessness and poverty in general," he said. "I'm really inspired by all of that work that is being done."
The idea caught fire after speaking with a few family members and friends, French said, who described how he suddenly found himself with four bikes.
A month later, he had nine bikes with a commitment of five more.
Donations have come from as far as the Fraser Valley, where word about the project has spread through the social networking website Facebook.
French said the woman donating it is willing to do whatever it takes to ship the bike to Squamish. "That's just so typical of the kind of response that I'm getting from people," he said.
On top of the bicycles, local community members have also donated their expertise.
Armand Hurford, owner of Republic Bicycles, is helping repair the donated bikes to ensure they are safe for young riders.
Having joined students from Stawamus Elementary on cycling field trips in the past, he said he has come to learn that kids need more than just a bike; they need the resources to maintain it.
"I see kids riding bikes that are just dangerous," Hurford said, describing some as terrifying.
By putting quality bikes in the hands of youth, Hurford said more people could take a swing at mountain biking.
He said he is already accustomed to passing on customers' old bikes to people in need, but is grateful to have a program in place to make it easier.
French said the next step will be finding a way to pass the bikes along to children in need. He said he will likely go through a social service group in town that can link the bikes to local families.
Used bikes are being collected until Jan. 30. For more information contact French by calling 604-815-7318.
