In census data recently reported on here, the lack of a bike was listed as the 4th most common reason why DC area residents didn't bike commute. Now Pure City Cycles is doing something about it - they're giving away bikes through their "Need a Bike?" Giveaway.
Sometimes the dice of life roll against you and you need a little help to get your dreams back on track. Over the years, we've heard from tons of happy customers and their stories about how riding has changed their lives always brighten up the office. We've also heard from those desperately interested in getting a bike, but hindered by circumstance, calamity, or budget. We always do our best to help, but now we want to teleport a couple people straight from that second group to the first!
That's where this giveaway comes in. We want to hear your stories. Your goals. Your dreams. And why having a bike will help you get there. That's it!
Make a video, tell us who you are, why you need a bike, and have some fun! We'll be watching all the vids and giving out two brand new bikes to the winners!
Submit your video and read the rules here.
This is good, of course, but there are charitable organizations, e.g., Bikes for the World, who do the same thing on a larger scale and recover utility from existing equipment. I find the number of unused and abandoned bicycles in this country dismaying.
Posted by: Smedley Burkhart | April 09, 2015 at 08:52 AM
+1 Smedley.
If someone has the resources to learn of this offer and make such a video, they probably have the resources to get a bike on their own.
Posted by: black jack | April 09, 2015 at 01:17 PM
^Ditto the sentiment.
Posted by: T | April 09, 2015 at 03:04 PM
Brought to you by people whom life has dealt all aces it seems. $500 smart phone is the price of admission to the free bike contest.
Posted by: Riley | April 09, 2015 at 03:21 PM
Yeah, it's not exactly a wealth transfer to the world's poor.
I'd like to see a "Bikes for the World" program bur for the city instead. People donate a bunch of used bikes, and then instead of shipping them to the developing world, helicopter drop them into a poor neighborhood from the back of a flatbed. "You get a bike. You get a bike." Sure some would be misused, but a bunch of them would land in the hands of people who need them I suspect.
Posted by: washcycle | April 09, 2015 at 05:02 PM