In December, the Town Council learned about a wonderful bicycle rehab program managed by local groups Bike-Walk Indian River and Vero Cycling in partnership with Orchid Island Bikes & Kayaks. The mission of the program is to collect, rehab, and recycle bikes back into the local community. Volunteers both repair bicycles free of charge for those who can’t afford the cost and rehab donated bikes to distribute among residents in need in the local area.
All bikes are welcome, from kid-sized to adult-sized. Even bikes in need of repair can be fixed up and provided to someone who needs transportation! In addition to this fantastic rehab and redistribution effort, the group also offers safety training, maintenance instruction, light sets, and helmets.
Upon hearing about this program, the Town Council was eager to share the information with the local residents in Orchid. In collaboration with Mr. Phil Young, the Town's representative on the county's Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the rehab program's volunteers, the Town Clerk helped organize a Bike Donation Day in Orchid. Residents were encouraged to participate on January 23rd by placing unused bikes for donation outside for garage-side pick-up by the program's volunteers. Every street in Orchid was represented with at least one donation, for a total collection of 32 bikes!
These bikes will be repaired as needed and then distributed to adults in need of transportation and children to inspire the next generation of cyclists. The donation was described by coordinator Malcolm Allen as "truly a blessing to many!"
The Town of Orchid's Council and staff would like to thank Mr. Phil Young, Mrs. Margaret Marino, Mr. Hugh Aaron, Mr. Malcolm Allen, Mr. Josh Lopez, Mr. Jake Piper, and all the others who made this wonderful effort possible, which of course must include each of our generous residents who participated by donating bikes of all sizes to this program!