This year my donation went to Pedals2People. Pedals2People is a non-profit organization that re-habilitates bicycles back into the community, and educates people on how to do their own work on them. They recently moved to the South Perry district. I’ve been in to the old, and new facilities a number of times and seen individuals and families of all different apparent income levels working together to fix up bicycles for recreation and transportation. It was especially heartwarming to watch kids, who’s parents probably wouldn’t be able to afford bicycles, working together to fix up little bikes, and to see their anticipation of hitting the streets and trails. Without P2P, many of these bikes would likely continue to collect dust, or be scrapped.

Any casual observer could notice a trend in the United States of children and adults becoming less active, and more unhealthy. It was already noticeable when I was a child, and it continues to worsen, with no end in sight. Healthcare in our country will never be the same again, and this is one of the negative factors contributing its collapse. We are also facing energy, and economic crises. Every bicycle on the road helps keep wealth within the walls of our city and country, especially recycled ones.

To me, bicycles are the obvious solution to many problems facing modern times. Their biggest enemy is the refusal of people to abandon their old routines to make a positive change. Bicycles are essential for economic growth, healthy communities, unclogging arteries, and for children; not only to get them away from the game machines, but to help strengthen bonds between them.

Education and recycling are two gifts that keep on giving. A special thanks to Nick Murto, Tyler Lafferty, and everyone at Seven2 for giving me the chance, yet again, to contribute to something I truly believe in.

P2P site: http://www.pedals2people.org

—Bradley Baysinger