March 2007 Get Active Orlando Bike Giveaway

December 2007

Collaboration is the key to sustainable and successful bike giveaways for Get Active Orlando. The Active Living Orlando community partnership formed a network of dedicated partners, including the Orlando Health Department, Florida Freewheelers Association, Orlando Police Department, and Metroplan Orlando. This "total partnership collaboration", as described by project officer Leah Nash, has built the foundation for three successful bike giveaway events.

In March 2007, the partners held a successful giveaway at the Orlando Health Department. At each stage of the process, a different partner contributes their own skills, resources, and expertise. For example, staff members at the health department ask clients if they are interested in being considered for a free bike. Interested clients complete a form that is used to match individuals to available bikes.

The Orlando Police Department donates bikes that have been impounded and remain unclaimed. The Florida Freewheelers Association provides free labor to repair the donated bikes. Helmets were donated by the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida and lights and locks were donated by the Orange County Health Department. Metroplan Orlando provided the safety training before recipients were allowed to take their bike home. Through contributions from these key partners, Active Living Orlando is able to fulfill one of its sustainability goals by giving the recipients tools that are essential to owning and maintaining a bike. "You can't just give someone a bike and say 'here you go'," Nash states, "You have to give them the whole package."

Looking to the future, Active Living Orlando hopes to offer bike recipients classes so they can learn to repair their bikes on their own and at minimal cost. They are also seeking continued funding for the helmets and locks, which have been the most difficult program components to fund. Nash believes the strength of the existing partnership combined with efforts to recruit new partners will be central to the program's continued success.

Stories about the bike giveaways making a difference have circulated back to the Active Living Orlando office. They have heard about new owners using their bikes for everyday, essential transportation - such as to riding work and doctor's appointments - but also just using their new bikes for fun. Active Living Orlando has given away a total of 17 bikes to date. With the help of their partners, they hope to continue to put Orlando residents on two wheels.