"There is a need here."
– Jim Cole, owner of 4 Season Cycle
– Jim Cole, owner of 4 Season Cycle
Sponsor ad and opportunity for businesses If you are interested in expanding your business, learn better business practices or starting a new business, please click on the ad above for an opportunity to learn more. | There will be 30 new youngsters able to tool around on bicycles in Franklin and Oil City thanks to an effort by a handful of avid trekkers on two wheels. Eric Webber, of the Cranberry (the one down the road near Pittsburgh) heard about a program begun by a pro-mountain biker named Jeff Lenowsky, to promote biking and help kids in need. Can'd Aid seeks to help get kids bikes and skateboards in underserved communities. "With children averaging 7 hours of screen time a day and only 1 in 5 kids receiving the daily recommended amount of exercise, we provide boards and bikes to encourage kids to opt outside," their website says. Webber teamed up with Jim Cole of 4 Season Cycle, in Franklin, to provide 30 new bikes that will be distributed to kids through Youth Alternatives in the two communities. "We have four bikes still looking for homes," said Webber who hope they won't collect dust waiting to find a young rider. |
On Saturday morning a group of volunteers unboxed and assembled the thirty bikes that Cole will go over to insure they are ready and safe to ride, They also have helmets for each bike too. "Oh they're cool," Webber said when he took one out of the box. Webber and Cole, who ride together often and organize the New Year's Day Frigid Frolic ride that began on Presque Isle but moved to Franklin last |
year, are avid cyclists. When Webber found out about the program he jumped in and learned if he could just raise some money he could get 30 bikes. "I just asked people to give me money." he said. He got the matching funds he needed and Can'd Aid sent the bikes.
He hopes to keep doing each year and hopefully raising more money. The bikes are small and for aged kindergarten and first grade kids he said. These are solid great starter bikes for kids to learn responsibility and a love of riding, he said. "It's a good life lesson, it gives kids something to enjoy and take care of," he said.
He hopes to keep doing each year and hopefully raising more money. The bikes are small and for aged kindergarten and first grade kids he said. These are solid great starter bikes for kids to learn responsibility and a love of riding, he said. "It's a good life lesson, it gives kids something to enjoy and take care of," he said.
2022 marks the 10th anniversary for the Frigid Frolic which will have a host of activities around Franklin and the bike trails on January 1.
Webber said anyone interested in the New Years ride, the program or if there is a kindergartner or first-grader in need of one of the four reaining bikes can contact him via email at etrain1993@yahoo.com
Webber said anyone interested in the New Years ride, the program or if there is a kindergartner or first-grader in need of one of the four reaining bikes can contact him via email at etrain1993@yahoo.com
To view a previous Eight & 322 story on 4 Season Cycle go to: http://8and322.weebly.com/eight--322/bike-enthusiasts-gearing-up-to-open-shop-in-franklin
Note: 4 Season Cycle os moving over to a new 13th Street location and is expected to re-open in March.
Note: 4 Season Cycle os moving over to a new 13th Street location and is expected to re-open in March.